The West Virginia Senate has passed a bill requiring employers in
the mining industry to report all positive drug and alcohol tests to the Office
of Miners' Health, Safety and Training.
The bill states employers must notify
the administration within seven days if an employee tests positive, if they
have refused to submit a urine sample, or if they have submitted an adulterated
sample. Employees will also be suspended until they appear before an appeals
board.
Sen. Cory Palumbo said current law only
requires mine industry employers to submit the results of drug and alcohol
tests if a miner is discharged.
The bill passed overwhelmingly and now
goes to the House.
