Signed by Governor Rick Perry

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires drug screening for certain individuals who claim unemployment benefits, effective September 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Requires an individual who applies for unemployment benefits to submit to a drug test if his or her written drug screening assessment indicates a “reasonable likelihood” of substance abuse (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits an individual who fails a drug test under the provisions of this bill from receiving unemployment benefits until the individual has passed a subsequent drug test no earlier than 4 weeks after the failed drug test, with the following exceptions (Sec. 3):
• The individual is participating in a treatment program for drug abuse;
• The individual enrolls in and attends a drug abuse treatment program no later than 7 days after receiving notice of a failed drug test; or
• The individual failed the drug test as a result of a substance prescribed by a health care practitioner. 

• Requires an individual to submit to a drug test if he or she is only available to work in an occupation that regularly conducts pre-employment drug tests as designated by the United States Department of Labor (Sec. 2).

• Rep. Oscar Longoria voted “Nay” after the roll call.

• Rep. Eddie Lucio III voted “Nay” after the roll call.

• Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer was shown as voting “Yea,” but intended to vote “Nay.”

Full Bill Text