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West Virginia Senate OKs Bill On Miners’ Drug Tests

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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.