Proposed Legislation Would Deny Benefits to Drug-Using Employees

A bill that would deny compensation for workers who test positive for alcohol or nonprescribed controlled drugs has been placed on the Senate calendar for Tuesday. Senate Bill 290, by Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, was reported out of the Small Business and Industry Committee on Feb. 16. Under current law, employees injured while using alcohol or drugs are entitled to 50% of the compensation and death benefits available under worker’s compensation. SB 290 states that any positive test taken within 48 hours of an injury would result in a rebuttable presumption that the injury w...