Texas Teachers May Need to Pass Drug Tests

State legislators are debating drug testing Texas teachers and administrators.

Pasadena state representative Ken Legler filed a bill on Feb. 2 that would require all current teachers, principals, counselors, school nurses and teacher's aids to submit to random, unannounced drug tests.

Additionally, any Texas public school teacher applicant would also be required to take a drug test during the hiring process.

Legler was inspired to file the bill, HB 975, after learning that drug testing was not required by state law.

Legler said feedback on the proposed bill has been largely positive from parents and former teachers -- though some teachers union officials are against the bill.

If the state house and senate approve the bill it will likely go into effect later this year.

On Feb. 9, Legler also filed HB 1135 which would require drug testing for applicants and recipients of unemployment compensation benefits.