House committee hears testimony on allowing oral-fluid roadside drug screening

The Michigan House Rules Committee heard testimony on legislation to allow police officers to use handheld oral‑fluid screening devices during traffic stops to detect recent drug use.

Supporters, including Representatives Beagle and Julie Rogers and retired forensic toxicology laboratory director Kristen Burke, told the committee the devices provide rapid, noninvasive information that can help officers determine whether further evidentiary testing is warranted. Opponents, including Tim Beck of the Michigan Republican Cannabis Caucus and representatives of criminal defense groups who filed cards, said the technology does not prove impairment and raised concerns about wrongful arrests.

The bills under discussion were House Bill 4391 and HB 4390; committee members heard testimony and informational presentations but did not take a committee vote on the measures at the meeting.

Representative Beagle, who described herself as a law‑enforcement officer with 32 years of experience, said the handheld device is intended…