CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is ordering drug tests for people who seek job training on the taxpayer's dime.
The executive order signed Tuesday will bar applicants from state workforce-training programs for 90 days if they test
positive.
Drug testing has become a recurring topic in numerous states. But West Virginia may be the first to mandate it for job training.
Tomblin highlighted the order at a meeting of the Regional Economic Development Partnership in Wheeling.
It follows up on a pledge the Democrat made during this year's State of the State address. The governor said employers have complained that jobs remain unfilled because applicants can't pass drug tests.
Tomblin successfully proposed legislation during the recent regular session that will require random screenings for safety-sensitive jobs at coal mines.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
