Senate passes bill to require drug testing for coal miners

FRANKFORT, Ky. A bill that would force coal miners to undergo random drug testing made it through the Kentucky Senate.

The House will have a final say on the measure in a vote.The bill is aimed at improving safety in Kentucky mines by putting workers who abuse drugs off the job.Miners would have to undergo a mandatory test before being hired and then be subject to random tests once they begin work.The bill is the final step in a process that began a year ago when coal operators and miners told state regulators drug abuse had become widespread throughout the state and needed to be dealt with. Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.