Senate Human Services Committee hears hours of testimony on bill requiring negative drug tests before unsupervised visits

The Senate Human Services Committee heard extended testimony on House Bill 1268, a proposal that would require parents to have a negative drug test before an unsupervised visit with a child when illegal drug use, the presence of a controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia was a contributing factor in a child’s removal from the home. The measure includes a $95,000 appropriation to support implementation.

Proponents told the committee the change is aimed at increasing consistency across the state and reducing repeated removals and retraumatization of children. Bailey Greiner, a nurse, foster parent and one of the bill writers, told the committee the measure is meant to ensure “that if drugs are [a] contributing factor to the hurting of a child, then that parent should no longer be using those substances prior to that unsupervised visit.” Greiner said she and other bill authors met repeatedly with human services directors and consulted Preble Medical, a drug-testing contractor, when drafting the bill.

The bill text would allow a human service zone to require…