H.B. 345

VETOES

and yet be immune from the provisions of the State Substance Abuse Policy. The very
nature of these employees' responsibilities necessitates a strict alcohol and drug policy.
An intolerable situation would occur if the State could not hold these individuals
accountable for admitted illegal substance abuse. The public deserves and demands such
accountability.

This Administration has taken great stride's to eliminate substance abuse in Maryland.
For instance, the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission has initiated
numerous program's ranging from the collection and analysis of imperical data on drug
abuse in order to educate policymakers, legislator's; and the general public to drug
resistance education programs for inner-city youths at Maryland parks. Furthermore; the
State counsels substance-addicted pregnant women to ensure a better life for Maryland's
children; the Schaefer House provides counseling for drug-addicted juveniles, and the
State runs jail-based substance abuse programs. And; educational programs, intensified
law enforcement efforts, and suffer criminal penalties have played a key role in
preventing and controlling the substance abuse epidemic. House Bill 345, by weakening
the State's authority to sanction State employees involved with illegal substances, would
only serve to 'diminish the effort's I have taken to reduce substance abuse in the State.

For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill 345.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer                         

Governor                                                  

House Bill No. 345

AN ACT concerning

State Substance Abuse Policy - Probation Before Judgement - Offenses Outside the

Course and Scope of Employment

FOR the purpose of providing that a probation before judgment for State employees and
that offenses convictions for certain State employees not in a sensitive class or
position occurring outside the course and scope of employment may not be
considered violations of the State Substance Abuse Policy under certain
circumstances; prohibiting the State or an appointing authority from imposing a
suspension of other sanction's; or undertaking any other disciplinary actions under
the State Substance Abuse Policy against a State employee who receives a probation
before judgment or against certain State employees not in a sensitive class or
position for offenses convictions not occurring during the course and scope of
employment under certain circumstances; providing certain exceptions for offenses
occurring during the course and scope of employment; defining certain terms; and
generally relating to the consideration of probation before judgment and offenses
occurring outside the course and scope of employment under the State Substance
Abuse Policy.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

- 3456 -

____I