A Greenville senator is proposing legislation that would require the South Carolina Employment Security Commission to test workers for drugs before they receive unemployment benefits.

Senator David Thomas says most companies require drug testing. According to his proposal, if a worker tests positive for illegal drugs their benefits would be cut off, and would not be restored until the applicant completed a treatment program. The applicant would then receive random testing, and testing positive would result in benefits being stopped until more treatment is completed. Failing another random test following that would stop benefits for a year.

Thomas says a report from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce points out that up to 20 percent of unemployed workers may use illegal drugs. 

Source: South Carolina Radio Network