Seattle's Drug-Testing Policy Thrown Out October 13, 2000
News Summary
The Washington State Court of Appeals ruled that Seattle's policy of requiring drug tests for prospective employees for certain jobs is unconstitutional and violates individual rights to privacy, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Oct. 3.The drug-testing policy was adopted by the Seattle City Council in July 1996. The policy required all prospective employees to sign a document agreeing to submit to a drug test. When the ACLU objected to the policy, it was revised a year later to require testing only of those applying for jobs involving public safety, handling city money, operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment, or working directly with minors.
The ACLU proceeded with its lawsuit, claiming the policy still violated the constitutional right to privacy and violated basic human dignity.
Seattle's attorney's office postponed commenting on the ruling until it had a chance to review the court's decision.
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