Golden bill would strengthen drug-free workplace
March 16, 2007 -- Atlanta, GA -- State Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) The Senate Insurance & Labor Committee has favorably reported legislation I introduced that would further strengthen Georgia’s drug-free work place program. Senate Bill 96, which will now be considered by the full Senate, would authorize employers to conduct on-site and oral testing of workers for substance abuse.

Georgia’s “Drugs Don’t Work Program” has been very successful since its implementation in 2001, helping employers ensure and enforce safe and drug-free workplaces. This legislation, which was strongly endorsed by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Businesses, would strengthen the program as follows:

• In addition to pre-employment testing, on-site testing could be used for reasonable suspicion, fitness for duty, return to duty or post-accident testing.
• Clarifying that oral fluid (saliva) is an acceptable alternative specimen to urine for performing drug tests.
• Specifying that the person performing the on-site tests at the worksite must be trained and qualified.
• Emphasizing that regardless of the testing methodology used, a positive pre-screen result must be confirmed at a laboratory.

Governor Perdue announced this week that the state will temporarily use Medicaid funds to make up for PeachCare’s $131 million federal funding shortfall. This move had been recommended by many lawmakers for several weeks because Democratic leaders in Congress had said they will expedite more federal funds for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP).

An Iraq war appropriations bill before the U.S. House will include $735 million to eliminate funding shortfalls in 14 states, including Georgia, that operate state children’s health insurance programs. This action allows Georgia to use state funds as a stopgap to keep PeachCare running until the congressional action takes place, at which time the state will be fully reimbursed by the federal program.

PeachCare serves a vital state interest by providing high-quality, secure health care for children of Georgia’s working families. PeachCare has achieved national prominence by successfully enrolling previously uninsured children consistent with the goals of SCHIP, as administered by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. I firmly believe that PeachCare is essential to the health, education, and welfare of Georgia’s children who would otherwise have no reliable access to health care.

Legislation to allow voters to decide on the Sunday packaged sales of beer, wine and liquor in their communities was favorably reported by the Senate Regulated Industry & Utilities Committee. SB 137 could be voted on by the full Senate upon our return to the Capitol the week of March 19.

SB 137 would authorize city or county governments that already allow the sale of beer, wine, or distilled spirits to call a referendum on the question of Sunday package sales. If a majority of the voters in the special election approved Sunday sales, the governing entity could then set the hours during which stores could sell alcohol – although they couldn’t sell it before 12 noon.

As a strong supporter of higher education, I am pleased that legislation I co-sponsored, which would continue to give extra credit to honors courses, helping more students qualify for HOPE Scholarships, was favorably reported by the Senate Higher Education Committee.

SB 75 would continue to give weight to honors courses in meeting HOPE eligibility standards, which were made tougher for this year’s graduating high school seniors. Many students took honors courses thinking the courses would help them qualify for HOPE.

I have also co-sponsored SB 169, which would provide eligible Georgia students a state-funded education loan through the Georgia Student Finance Authority.

To qualify, students must graduate from a Georgia high school with either a 75 numeric average or a 2.5 grade point average.  The loan is designed for students who are unable to find any other loan, scholarship, or grant to pay for their education.  College students who maintain a 2.0 grade point average can apply for a loan upon entering their second year of school.  Best of all, the interest rate will be only 1 percent.

• State Sen. Tim Golden represents the 8th District (Brooks, Cook, Lowndes and Thomas Counties). During the legislative session, he can be reached at 121-A State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. 30334; by phone at 404-656-7580; or by e-mail at tim.golden@senate.ga.gov.