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Committee backs bill allowing oral-fluid drug tests for local government hires
Summary
A House committee recommended HB 558, which would expand acceptable sample types for local government and higher-education drug testing to include oral fluid and allow local collection under chain-of-custody procedures, citing cost and efficiency gains.
Representative Kyle opened discussion of HB 558, local government drug testing amendments, which would expand the definition of a sample to include oral fluid and allow a variety of sample types for drug testing and permit collection methods that comply with independent entity guidelines rather than mandating independent collection.
The bill sponsor described the measure as updating procedures so local governments and institutions of higher education may use newer collection methods while preserving chain-of-custody and laboratory processing. David Kitchen, HR director for Lehi City, told the committee his municipality uses pre-employment and volunteer testing for those who work with youth and that vendors now offer oral-fluid kits that can be collected on-site in five to ten minutes, avoiding off-site collection that current law requires.
Molly Wheeler of the Utah League of Cities and Towns testified in support, saying the change would give municipalities greater flexibility and efficiency. No members of the public spoke against the bill.
Representative Wynne moved that the committee favorably recommend HB 558; the motion carried and the committee reported the bill out with a favorable recommendation. The committee recorded the passage as unanimous in the meeting (voice vote).
