Governor Rick Scott signs bill to drug-test Fla. state workers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott has quietly signed into law a bill allowing random drug testing of state workers.

The governor's office announced the signing after normal working hours Monday night. The only suspense was when the Scott would sign the bill, not if he would sign it.

The Republican governor already has tried to enforce random drug testing through an executive order. He suspended it, though, due to a court challenge. The new law also is certain to generate a lawsuit.

Some legal scholars say random drug testing by the government violates the U.S. Constitution's ban on unreasonable searches and seizures. That sets it apart from drug testing by private employers.

Scott has argued state employees should be subject to the same scrutiny as those in the private sector.

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