How does SF 4285 and HF 4535 improve the drug-impaired driving law? SF 4285 and HF 4535 allows law enforcement to utilize roadside oral fluid screening to support the investigation of drug-impaired driving. The use of oral fluid screening will serve as a tool to help law enforcement determine which substance(s) are causing the impairment that is detected by the officer’s field observations and clues from Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Combined, this information helps support probable cause for arrest and provides a law enforcement officer with evidence to seek a search warrant for a confirmation test and/or to contact a Drug Recognition Expert.

In Minnesota in 2024, the use of oral fluid technology was piloted across 36 counties by 41 law enforcement agencies. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, here is some data from the oral fluid pilot program: 

• Detected drugs in 87.2 percent of tests overall.
• Most frequently detected cannabinoids, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
• Detected more than one drug in 62 percent of the tests.
• Found that 90 percent of drivers who tested positive for alcohol with a PBT also tested positive for one or more drugs.

On this page, please email your lawmakers in support of stopping impaired driving.