NorthwestJanuary 28, 1996

Associated Press

BOISE The state House Education Committee has unanimously agreed to introduce a school drug-testing bill which would allow urinalysis despite the dissent of parents.

The committee on Friday approved the measure from Rep. Jim Kempton, R-Albion. It drew the support of committee Chairman Rep. Ron Black, R-Twin Falls.

"I think he has a legitimate point," Black said. "Right now we're sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring this."

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The American Civil Liberties Union opposed Kempton's measure because of possible violations of privacy and individual rights.

Black said lawmakers would have to balance those concerns with classroom safety. If teachers noticed students with dilated pupils, erratic behavior or plummeting grades, they could refer them to administrators, who would decide whether to send a student for drug testing.

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