The proposal, formally known as House Bill 385, was first introduced to the state’s House on February 9 and was received by Senate delegates on March 1.

If passed into law, the bill would revoke a miner’s certification for three years after his or her first offense.

A second offense would result in a five-year suspension and a third offense would be punished with a permanent certification revocation.

Current outlines allow for retesting of a miner after 10 days following a failed drug panel, with job reinstatement in some cases if that testing is negative.

Also under the bill, testing for methaqualone will be replaced with buprenorphine in a urine panel so that officials can better establish an individual’s drug-free status.

Kentucky officials will be permitted under the legislation to revoke certificates for miners who have tested positive in other states.

Should the miner seek treatment, his or her certification could be reinstated.

The Senate’s 36:0 vote to approve the bill now sends it to the Kentucky House for consideration.

No date was available at press time for the House delegate’s evaluation.

Since initial miner drug testing laws were passed in the state in 2006, more than 1500 active miners have tested positive for drugs.