Puerto Rico Passes Drug Test Bill

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) More than 100,000 public school
teachers and other state workers would be subject to mandatory
drugtesting under a bill approved by the Senate of this U.S.
commonwealth.

``Securityrelated and sensitive government employees'' from ambulance
drivers to park rangers would be covered by the bill, passed by the Senate
unanimously on Friday, The San Juan Star reported Saturday.

It would allow employers to fire securityrelated workers who test positive.

Puerto Rico's House of Representatives already has approved a tougher
measure that would require all government employees about 200,000
workers to undergo drug tests. The House also passed a bill Friday that
would extend mandatory testing to privatesector security workers.

Legislators from both houses are expected to meet soon in an effort to draft
a consensus bill. Both versions face fierce opposition, especially from the
powerful public teacher's union, which represents 40,000 educators.

The proposals come as this Caribbean island has been besieged by
traffickers attempting to smuggle narcotics into the United States.

As much as 30 percent of illegal drugs reaching the U.S. mainland pass
through Puerto Rico, and officials estimate 90 percent of the island's crime
is drugrelated.

Senators said Friday they would lobby for their more moderate proposal
because the House bill could invite legal battles.

Sen. Kenneth McClintock, chairman of the committee that proposed the
bill, cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a Georgia
law requiring political candidates to pass a drug test.

``What we're looking for is an efficient process of drug testing, not to give
attorneys more billable hours,'' the Star quoted him as saying.

McClintock said the Senate proposal would protect employees by
imposing a fixed oneyear jail term or $2,000 fine on anyone who divulges
confidential test results.