Monday, January 25, 2010

Ruestman co-sponsors Gatschenberger bill to mandate random drug tests for teachers

Eleven representatives, including Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, have signed onto a bill which would mandate schools to conduct random drug tests of all teachers and other employees. The bill was introduced today and had its first reading on the House floor.

The bill would also allow drug testing for cause and would require all new school district employees to undergo drug tests.

HB 1803, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger, R-St. Charles County, includes the following language:

1. The board of education of any school district shall adopt a policy, pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the department of elementary and secondary education, for the random and for-cause testing of the school district's teachers and other employees, and for the testing of potential new employees as a condition of employment, for the unlawful use of controlled substances, as that term is defined in section 195.010.
2. Any teacher or other employee who tests positive for unlawful use of a controlled substance shall be immediately terminated from employment with the district.


In addition to Mrs. Ruestman, other legislators co-sponsoring the bill are Timothy Jones, R-Eureka; Doug Funderburk, R-St. Peter's,; Brian Nieves, R-Washington; Scott Dieckhaus, R-Washington; Don Wells, R-Cabool; Will Krauss, R- Lee's Summit; Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City; Curt Dougherty, D-Independence; and Andrew Koenig, R-Winchester.

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:21 PM

    Do these people really have any ideas that are realistic? I frequently wonder if the federal or state reps are more worthless. Ruestman isn't exactly the sharpest blade in the butchers drawer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10:55 PM

    They know there is no way this will fly, but it doesn't matter. The conservatives they pander to love it. They eat it up like ice cream with sprinkles. A real conservative would never want such an invasion of privacy to be placed on people.
    Marilyn R is a tool. Let's drink to the end of her political career, and hope that she is soon home with her hubby, going to tea parties and dominating the Joplin social set.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4:50 AM

    I wonder if Ms. Ruestman and the others would be willing to amend their bill to include legislators? Some of the bills I see introduced by our legislators would suggest their judgment is impaired.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous5:57 AM

    What is wrong with random drug screens for teachers and employee?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous7:03 AM

    Why pick on teachers? Why pick on anyone? Let's see what you think about this - while we are at it, let's make a law that will require all workers to submit to tests for alcohol, tobacco, drugs (illicit or prescription) and excess food intake. The privacy of all individuals should be open to scrutiny.
    I think drug testing is an invasion of privacy and unnecessary. The only time it should be an issue is if a person is impaired on the job. Period.

    ReplyDelete
  6. David Holley7:56 AM

    The first law that needs to be passed is that any law passed by the legislators also includes them. They must live by the same laws they are passing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1:01 PM

    Really folks, do you think we need the likes of Ruestman. The only thing I see from her are those "feel good.... you can't be against this" bills.
    Let's see her present something that might have difference in our lives.
    And, for all of you out there that think big government is getting too close, how do you respond to her support of this bill?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous2:01 PM

    Teachers work too many hours and can't afford drugs, remember?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous4:05 PM

    As a teacher, I have to ask: What happened to my constitutional right to due process as an American citizen? Is there any "failsafe" measure to a false positive result? Do these Republicans honestly believe that mistakes with testing don't occur?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous6:41 PM

    I have no problem with testing people who work closely for many hours a day with other people's children...be this camp counselors, teachers, daycare workers, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous8:34 PM

    Notice how employees will be immediately terminated for drug use? What if the test is a false positive? Also,notice that students are not "terminated" (expelled) for a positive test. Let's also test school board members, and be sure to include superintendents and principals as well. This bill is nonsense.

    ReplyDelete