Vehicle search bill approved in Oklahoma House

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday that would limit the ability of employers to search a worker's private vehicle. <br><br>House Bill 1449, by Rep. Jerry

Wednesday, May 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday that would limit the ability of employers to search a worker's private vehicle.

House Bill 1449, by Rep. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant, and Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta, would prohibit searches when workers' vehicles are not on company property.

Ellis, a freshman legislator, told colleagues Tuesday he wrote the bill because his former employer recently terminated employees who refused to let their vehicles be searched.

While the employees were at work at the time, their vehicles weren't parked on company grounds, Ellis said.

Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Del City, argued against the bill, saying the measure might restrict a company's ability to ensure employees are following company policies prohibiting possession of illegal substances at work.