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Bill would add oral-fluid screening option to Montanapreliminary roadside alcohol testing
Summary
House Bill 467 would let officers use oral-fluid swabs as a preliminary (non-evidentiary) screening test for alcohol and drugs; Montana Highway Patrol witnesses said oral-fluid devices are screening tools that must be followed by evidentiary breath or blood tests for prosecution.
Representative Stephen Kelly (House District 9) told the Senate Judiciary Committee that House Bill 467 adds the words "oral fluids" to the statute governing preliminary breath testing to allow oral-fluid screening devices as a roadside option. "All it really does is add a couple of words, oral fluids to the statute that addresses preliminary breath testing," Kelly said.
Captain Doug Samuelson of the Montana Highway Patrol told the committee oral-fluid devices are screening tests, not evidentiary instruments. "This is…
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