Vermont’s full House of Representatives gave preliminary approval yesterday to House Bill 237, which would allow law enforcement to administer saliva tests for drugs during traffic stops.
The House gave approval to the measure in a voice vote yesterday after 2.5 hours of debate and after approving several rather inconsequential amendments. Representative David Potter (D), the bill’s primary sponsor, says that under his proposal the saliva tests alone can’t result in an arrest or conviction, though it can play a factor. The measure requires at least two peer-reviewed studies to verify the accuracy of the devices being deployed before they can be used.
According to Potter, overall impairment would still be determined by police who are trained as Drug Recognition Experts, and they would need to consider the “totality of the evidence.”
Read moreVermont House Votes to Allow Cops to Administer Saliva Tests for Drugs During Traffic Stops