Elected officials in Missouri will begin undergoing drug screening under new legislation given first-round House approval last week.

Lawmakers, judges and other state officeholders would receive drug tests before taking office and every two years after that. The officials would pay for the tests, and refusing one would be considered an admission that they used a controlled substance without permission, according to the Kansas City Star newspaper.

Also, many of those who receive welfare benefits will undergo drug screening as well.

“House leaders said Thursday that the drug tests would give taxpayers assurance that their money is not going toward drug use. They said not requiring elected officials to be tested would be hypocritical.”

What’s Your Take? Does it make sense to drug test public officials? E-mail the editor at jspencer@publicceo.com