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HB 548

Require alcohol, drug testing after officer use of force incident

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Juanita Brent and 4 co-sponsors

HB 548 mandates post-incident alcohol and drug testing for Ohio police officers after any use of force to enhance accountability and ensure officer sobriety.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 548

Legislative bill overview

HB 548 would mandate alcohol and drug testing for law enforcement officers immediately following any use of force incident. The bill applies a standardized chemical testing requirement to ensure officers involved in such incidents are not impaired at the time of the incident.

Why is this important

Use of force incidents are high-stakes situations where officer judgment directly affects public safety and individual rights. Testing requirements could increase accountability, provide objective evidence in investigations, and potentially deter impaired policing—though implementation raises practical and legal questions.

Potential points of contention

  • Officer privacy and due process concerns: Mandatory testing of all officers in any use of force incident may raise Fourth Amendment questions about reasonable search standards and establish precedent for testing in other contexts
  • Definition and scope ambiguity: The bill's language on what constitutes "use of force" is unclear—does this include drawing weapons, pointing weapons, or only physical force?—which could create compliance inconsistencies or excessive testing burden
  • Resource and timeline logistics: Immediate testing requirements after incidents must be operationally feasible; delays in testing could create chain-of-custody issues, and costs for statewide implementation may be substantial

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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