JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Senate has approved a bill denying unemployment benefits to workers who are fired for violating their employers' policies on drugs and excessive alcohol use.

A similar measure by the same sponsor, Sen. John Loudon, died in the Senate last year. Wednesday's 19-13 vote sent this year's version to the House.

Workers fired or suspended because of drug or alcohol use usually receive unemployment benefits, a portion of which are funded by employers.

Under Loudon's bill, benefits would be denied to anyone fired after testing positive for drugs or for a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent.