[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 153 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 153

 To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish Federal standards 
  to ensure quality assurance of drug testing programs, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 4, 1995

 Mr. Solomon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                         Committee on Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish Federal standards 
  to ensure quality assurance of drug testing programs, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Quality Assurance in Drug Testing 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) drug abuse in the workplace is a serious national 
        problem, and
            (2) drug testing can be an effective deterrent to drug 
        abuse when administered in a manner that provides for quality 
        assurance.

SEC. 3. QUALITY ASSURANCE IN DRUG TESTING.

    The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new title:

            ``TITLE XXVII--QUALITY ASSURANCE IN DRUG TESTING

``SEC. 2701. LABORATORY CERTIFICATION STANDARDS.

    ``(a) Prohibition.--No individual may perform a toxicological 
analysis in connection with any drug testing program that is subject to 
this title unless such analysis is conducted in a laboratory certified 
under subsection (b).
    ``(b) Certification.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this title, the Secretary shall establish a program for 
certifying laboratories that meet standards for performing--
            ``(1) drug screening tests,
            ``(2) drug confirmatory tests, and
            ``(3) both drug screening and confirmatory tests.
    ``(c) Criteria.--In establishing standards for certification under 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall use criteria that will maximize the 
predictive value of the testing scheme and that take into consideration 
the practices, procedures, and experience of drug testing programs 
which the Secretary determines are conducted in accordance with 
appropriate standards and procedures.
    ``(d) Periodic Review.--At least once each year, the Secretary 
shall review, and where appropriate revise, the certification criteria 
established under subsection (b), taking into consideration the 
relevant scientific technical advances in the area of drug testing and 
revisions needed to reflect employer zero-drug tolerance practices.

``SEC. 2702. ANTI-DRUG ABUSE POLICY.

    ``(a) Written Policy.--As a condition of implementing or 
maintaining a drug testing program, an employer shall establish a 
written anti-drug abuse policy that shall contain, at a minimum, an 
explanation concerning the--
            ``(1) circumstances under which a drug test will be 
        administered, the procedures for notifying an employee of a 
        confirmed positive result, and a statement the policy will be 
        administered in a consistent and nondiscriminatory manner 
        without regard to whether the employee is employed in a 
        management or hourly capacity,
            ``(2) safeguards established for protecting the privacy of 
        individuals who are subject to testing, including chain custody 
        procedures and the limitations on disclosure of the results of 
        drug tests,
            ``(3) availability of any drug abuse treatment program,
            ``(4) penalties that may be imposed for a violation of the 
        anti-drug policy of the employer, and
            ``(5) procedures under which an applicant or employee shall 
        be given a reasonable opportunity to explain a confirmed 
        positive test result.
    ``(b) Notice.--An employer shall make a reasonable effort to 
provide notice of the written anti-drug abuse policy to applicants and 
employees subject to testing using whatever methods the employer 
determines to be appropriate.

``SEC. 2703. DRUG-FREE AWARENESS PROGRAM.

    ``In order for an employer to be permitted to implement or maintain 
a drug testing program, such employer shall establish, as part of such 
drug testing program, a drug-free awareness program designed to inform 
its employees concerning--
            ``(1) the dangers of drug abuse, both inside and outside of 
        the workplace,
            ``(2) the policy of the employer of maintaining a drug-free 
        workplace,
            ``(3) information as to the existence and availability of 
        counseling, employee assistance, rehabilitation, and other drug 
        abuse treatment programs of which the employer is aware, and
            ``(4) the penalties that may be imposed on applicants and 
        employees who test positive for the use of a drug, and for the 
        manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of 
        a drug in the workplace of the employer.

``SEC. 2704. STANDARDS FOR DRUG TESTING.

    ``(a) Applicants.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to 
prohibit an employer from requiring, as a condition of employment, that 
an applicant submit to and pass a drug test based on criteria 
established by the employer that is designed to achieve a drug-free 
workplace. Refusal by an applicant to submit to such a test may be 
treated in the same manner as a failure to pass a drug test.
    ``(b) Employees.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to 
prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to submit to and pass a 
drug test--
            ``(1) where the employer has reasonable suspicion to 
        believe that the employee is using or under the influence of a 
        drug,
            ``(2) where such test is administered as part of a 
        scheduled medical examination,
            ``(3) in the case of an accident or incident involving the 
        actual or potential loss of human life, serious bodily injury, 
        or significant property damage,
            ``(4) during and for a reasonable period of time (not to 
        exceed 5 years) after the completion of a drug abuse treatment 
        program, or
            ``(5) in the case of sensitive employee positions, work 
        units, locations, or facilities where drug abuse has been 
        identified as a problem, on a random basis.
    ``(c) Definition.--As used in this title, the term `random' means 
the selection of individuals for testing based on a nondiscriminatory 
impartial methods so that no employee is harassed or treated 
differently from other employees in similar circumstances.

``SEC. 2505. EMPLOYEE PROTECTIONS.

    ``(a) Prohibitions.--In the case of an applicant or employee, it 
shall be a violation of this title--
            ``(1) for an employer to fail to make reasonable efforts to 
        inform the applicant or employee as to the drug testing policy 
        of the employee,
            ``(2) for an employer to take any adverse action based on 
        the unconfirmed positive results of a drug test, except as 
        provided in subsection (c),
            ``(3) for an employer, on the request of an applicant or 
        employee, to fail to provide such applicant or employee with a 
        reasonable opportunity to be informed of a confirmed positive 
        drug test result, and
            ``(4) for an employer, on the request of an applicant or 
        employee, to fail to provide such applicant or employee with a 
        reasonable opportunity to explain the results of a confirmed 
        positive test result.
    ``(b) Antiretaliation Prohibition.--It shall be a violation of this 
title for an employer to take retaliatory action against an employee 
because of the exercise by the employee of any right granted or 
protected under this title.
    ``(c) Exception for Sensitive Employees.--Pending the receipt of 
the results of a confirmatory drug test, an employer may transfer or 
reassign an employee in a sensitive position to another area or 
position without any loss in compensation to such employee if the 
initial drug test result is positive. If a confirmatory test of such 
employee is negative, such employee shall be entitled to immediate 
reinstatement to the position from which such employee has been 
transferred or reassigned.

``SEC. 2706. CONFIDENTIALITY.

    ``(a) In General.--An individual, other than the applicant or 
employee who is the subject of a drug test, shall not disclose 
information obtained as a result of a drug test, except as provided in 
subsection (b).
    ``(b) Permitted Disclosures.--An employer, or individual conducting 
a drug test on behalf of an employer, may disclose information acquired 
from a drug test only to--
            ``(1) the applicant or employee taking such drug test or 
        any other individual specifically designated in writing by such 
        applicant or employee taking such drug test,
            ``(2) the employer, including the designated representative 
        of such employer, that requested such test,
            ``(3) any court, governmental agency, arbitrator, or 
        mediator, in accordance with Federal or State law, and
            ``(4) appropriate drug abuse treatment providers.

``SEC. 2707. EMPLOYER PRACTICES.

    ``(a) Safe Workplace.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to 
prohibit an employer from taking action necessary to ensure a safe 
workplace.
    ``(b) Drug-Free Workplace.--Nothing in this title shall be 
construed to prohibit an employer from taking action necessary, up to 
and including termination, in the case of applicant or employee--
            ``(1) whose drug test result is confirmed positive,
            ``(2) who refuses to take a drug test authorized under this 
        title, or
            ``(3) who tampers with or adulterates a drug testing 
        specimen.
    ``(c) Participation in Drug Abuse Treatment Program.--Nothing in 
this title shall be construed to prohibit an employer from requiring an 
employee to participate in, and satisfactorily complete, a drug 
treatment program as a condition of continued employment where the 
employee has tested confirmed positive for drugs, has refused to submit 
to a drug test, or has tampered with or adulterated a drug test 
specimen.
    ``(d) Sensitive Position.--Nothing in this title shall be construed 
to prohibit an employer from refusing to place an employee in, or 
reinstate such employee, to a sensitive position if such employee has 
tested confirmed positive for drug use.

``SEC. 2708. DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

    ``As part of the drug-free awareness program established pursuant 
to section 2703, employers shall provide information to employees 
concerning the existence and availability of public and private drug 
counseling, employee assistance, rehabilitation, and other drug abuse 
treatment programs of which the employer is aware.

``SEC. 2709. REGULATIONS.

    ``Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title, 
the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) establish a program for the certification of 
        laboratories for the performance of toxicological urinalysis 
        conducted for drug testing programs as described in this title, 
        and
            ``(2) issue such other rules and regulations as may be 
        necessary or appropriate to carry out this title.

``SEC. 2710. ENFORCEMENT AND RELIEF.

    ``(a) Laboratory Certification Standards.--The certification 
program established pursuant to section 2701(b) shall be enforced in 
accordance with the procedures and sanctions contained in subsections 
(g), (h), (i), (j), (k), and (l) of section 353.
    ``(b) Employee Complaints Charging Unlawful Discharge or 
Discrimination; Investigation Order.--
            ``(1) Complaint.--An employee who believes that such 
        employee has been charged or otherwise discriminated against by 
        an employer in violation of this title may, not later than 30 
        days after such action occurs, file (or have any individual 
        file on behalf of such employee) a complaint with the Secretary 
        of Labor (hereinafter referred to in this subsection as the 
        `Secretary') alleging that such discharge or discrimination 
        violates this title. On receipt of such complaint, the 
        Secretary shall notify the individual named in the complaint of 
        such filing.
            ``(2) Investigation and order.--
                    ``(A) Investigation.--On receipt of a complaint 
                filed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conduct 
                an investigation of the violation alleged in such 
                complaint. Not later than 30 days after the receipt of 
                such complaint, the Secretary shall complete such 
                investigation and shall notify in writing the employer 
                (and any individual acting on behalf of the employer) 
                as to the results of such investigation.
                    ``(B) Order.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                completion of such investigation, the Secretary shall, 
                unless the proceeding on the complaint is terminated by 
                the Secretary on the basis of a settlement entered into 
                by the Secretary and the employer alleged to have 
                committed such violation, issue an order either 
                providing the relief prescribed in this section or 
                denying the complaint. An order of the Secretary issued 
                under this subparagraph shall be made on the record 
                after notice and opportunity for public hearing.
            ``(3) Relief.--If, in response to a complaint filed under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary determines that a violation of 
        this title has occurred, the Secretary shall order the employer 
        who committed such violation to provide such suitable relief as 
        the Secretary determines appropriate, including reinstatement, 
        promotion, and the payment of lost wages and benefits.
            ``(4) Review or order.--An employee or employer adversely 
        affected or aggrieved by an order issued under paragraph (2) 
        may obtain review of such order in the United States Court of 
        Appeals for the circuit in which the violation, with respect to 
        which the order was issued, allegedly occurred. The petition 
        for review shall be filed not later than 60 days after the 
        issuance of the order of the Secretary under paragraph (2). 
        Review by the Court of Appeals shall conform to chapter 7 of 
        Title 5, United States Code.
            ``(5) Failure to comply.--If an employee or employer fails 
        to comply with an order issued under paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary may file a civil action in the United States court 
        for the district in which the violation was found to occur to 
        enforce such order. Such court, in issuing any final order 
        under this subsection, may award the costs of litigation 
        (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to the 
        prevailing party.
    ``(c) Affirmative Defense.--The good faith compliance of an 
employer with the standards and procedures established under this title 
shall constitute an affirmative defense against any complaint filed 
under subsection (b).
    ``(d) Construction.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to 
require an employer to establish a drug testing program for applicants 
or employees or make employment decisions based on such test results.

``SEC. 2711. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

    ``(a) State Law.--This title shall preempt any State or local law, 
rule, regulation, order or standard that applies to the drug testing of 
an applicant or employee, or that relates to any matter addressed under 
this title. No State or local government shall adopt or enforce any 
law, rule, regulation, ordinance, standard or order relating to--
            ``(1) the certification of laboratories that perform drug 
        testing analysis with respect to such analysis,
            ``(2) requirements for the conduct of drug testing under 
        the certification program established under this title,
            ``(3) the conducting of employee or applicant drug testing 
        programs, or
            ``(4) any other matter relating to this title.
    ``(b) Other Federal Laws.--Nothing in this title shall be construed 
to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation or the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission from issuing regulations with respect to drug and alcohol 
testing.

``SEC. 2712. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    ``This title shall become effective 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this title, except that the prohibition contained in 
section 2701(a) shall not take effect less than 1 year after 
establishment of the certification program required under section 
2701(b).

``SEC. 2713. DEFINITIONS.

    ``As used in this title:
            ``(1) Applicant.--The term `applicant' means any individual 
        who has submitted an application to an employer, whether 
        written or oral, for employment with such employer.
            ``(2) Drug.--The term `drug' means any controlled substance 
        listed in Scheduled I through V of section 202 of the 
        Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812), alcohol, steroids, 
        and any other drug or medication that can interfere with 
        employment performance.
            ``(3) Drug abuse treatment program.--The term `drug abuse 
        treatment program' means a program, such as an employee 
        assistance program, designed to assist an individual in dealing 
        with problems caused by drug abuse.
            ``(4) Drug test.--The term `drug test' means any test 
        procedure used to take and analyze blood, breath, hair, urine 
        or other body fluids or materials for the purpose of detecting 
        the presence or absence of a drug or its metabolites.
            ``(5) Employee.--The term `employee' means an individual 
        employed by an employer.
    ``(f) Employer.--The term `employer' means an individual, 
partnership, corporation, association, or other entity (including the 
Federal Government), that employs one or more employees, and that is 
engaged in an industry affecting commerce.
    ``(g) Sensitive Employee.--The term `sensitive employee' means an 
individual employed in a position whose duties, as defined by the 
employer, involve responsibilities affecting such matters as national 
security, health, or safety, environment, or other responsibilities 
requiring a high degree of trust and confidence.

``SEC. 2714. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES.

    ``For purposes of this title, professional athletes may be treated 
in the same manner as employees who meet the definition of section 
2714(g), except that professional athletes shall not be covered by 
section 2706(a).''.
                                 <all>