§31306. Alcohol and controlled substances testing
(a)
(b)
(B) The regulations prescribed under subparagraph (A) shall permit motor carriers-
(i) to conduct preemployment testing of commercial motor vehicle operators for the use of alcohol; and
(ii) to use hair testing as an acceptable alternative to urine testing-
(I) in conducting preemployment testing for the use of a controlled substance; and
(II) in conducting random testing for the use of a controlled substance if the operator was subject to hair testing for preemployment testing.
(C) When the Secretary of Transportation considers it appropriate in the interest of safety, the Secretary may prescribe regulations for conducting periodic recurring testing of operators of commercial motor vehicles for the use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of law or a Government regulation.
(2) In prescribing regulations under this subsection, the Secretary of Transportation-
(A) shall require that post-accident testing of an operator of a commercial motor vehicle be conducted when loss of human life occurs in an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle;
(B) may require that post-accident testing of such an operator be conducted when bodily injury or significant property damage occurs in any other serious accident involving a commercial motor vehicle; and
(C) shall provide an exemption from hair testing for commercial motor vehicle operators with established religious beliefs that prohibit the cutting or removal of hair.
(c)
(1) promote, to the maximum extent practicable, individual privacy in the collection of specimens;
(2) for laboratories and testing procedures for controlled substances, incorporate the Department of Health and Human Services scientific and technical guidelines dated April 11, 1988, and any amendments to those guidelines, for urine testing, and technical guidelines for hair testing, including mandatory guidelines establishing-
(A) comprehensive standards for every aspect of laboratory controlled substances testing and laboratory procedures to be applied in carrying out this section, including standards requiring the use of the best available technology to ensure the complete reliability and accuracy of controlled substances tests and strict procedures governing the chain of custody of specimens collected for controlled substances testing;
(B) the minimum list of controlled substances for which individuals may be tested;
(C) appropriate standards and procedures for periodic review of laboratories and criteria for certification and revocation of certification of laboratories to perform controlled substances testing in carrying out this section; and
(D) laboratory protocols and cut-off levels for hair testing to detect the use of a controlled substance;
(3) require that a laboratory involved in testing under this section have the capability and facility, at the laboratory, of performing screening and confirmation tests;
(4) provide that any test indicating the use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of law or a Government regulation be confirmed by a scientifically recognized method of testing capable of providing quantitative information about alcohol or a controlled substance;
(5) provide that each specimen be subdivided, secured, and labeled in the presence of the tested individual and that a part of the specimen be retained in a secure manner to prevent the possibility of tampering, so that if the individual's confirmation test results are positive the individual has an opportunity to have the retained part tested by a 2d confirmation test done independently at another certified laboratory if the individual requests the 2d confirmation test not later than 3 days after being advised of the results of the first confirmation test;
(6) ensure appropriate safeguards for testing to detect and quantify alcohol in breath and body fluid samples, including urine and blood, through the development of regulations that may be necessary and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(7) provide for the confidentiality of test results and medical information (except information about alcohol or a controlled substance) of employees, except that this clause does not prevent the use of test results for the orderly imposition of appropriate sanctions under this section; and
(8) ensure that employees are selected for tests by nondiscriminatory and impartial methods, so that no employee is harassed by being treated differently from other employees in similar circumstances.
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(1) shall establish only requirements that are consistent with international obligations of the United States; and
(2) shall consider applicable laws and regulations of foreign countries.
(i)
(j)
(
| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31306(a) | 49 App.:2717(g). | Oct. 27, 1986,
|
| 31306(b)(1) | 49 App.:2717(a). | |
| 31306(b)(2) | 49 App.:2717(b)(1). | |
| 31306(c) | 49 App.:2717(d). | |
| 31306(d) | 49 App.:2717(b)(2). | |
| 31306(e) | 49 App.:2717(c). | |
| 31306(f) | 49 App.:2717(f)(2). | |
| 31306(g) | 49 App.:2717(e)(1). | |
| 31306(h) | 49 App.:2717(e)(3). | |
| 31306(i) | 49 App.:2717(e)(2). | |
| 31306(j) | 49 App.:2717(f)(1). |
In subsection (b)(2)(B), the words "may require" are substituted for "as determined by the Secretary" for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.
In subsection (c)(2), before subclause (A), the word "subsequent" is omitted as surplus.
In subsection (c)(3), the words "of any individual" are omitted as surplus.
In subsection (c)(4), the words "by any individual" are omitted as surplus.
In subsection (c)(5), the word "tested" is substituted for "assayed" for consistency. The words "2d confirmation test" are substituted for "independent test" for clarity and consistency.
In subsection (c)(6), the word "Secretary" is substituted for "Department" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.
In subsection (d), the words "The Secretary of Transportation may provide" are substituted for "Nothing in subsection (a) of this section shall preclude the Secretary from providing" for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.
In subsection (g), the words "rule" and "ordinance" are omitted as being included in "law, regulation, standard, or order". The words "whether the provisions apply specifically to commercial motor vehicle employees, or to the general public" are omitted as surplus.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015-Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B), (C).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(2)(D).
2012-Subsec. (a).
1995-Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
Amendment by
Hair Testing Guidelines
"(a)
"(1) the status of the hair testing guidelines;
"(2) an explanation for why the hair testing guidelines have not been issued; and
"(3) an estimated date of completion of the hair testing guidelines.
"(b)
Drug Test Results Study
"(a)
"(1) requiring medical review officers or employers to report all verified positive controlled substances test results on any driver subject to controlled substances testing under part 382 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, including the identity of each person tested and each controlled substance found, to the State that issued the driver's commercial driver's license; and
"(2) requiring all prospective employers, before hiring any driver, to query the State that issued the driver's commercial driver's license on whether the State has on record any verified positive controlled substances test on such driver.
"(b)
"(1) methods for safeguarding the confidentiality of verified positive controlled substances test results;
"(2) the costs, benefits, and safety impacts of requiring States to maintain records of verified positive controlled substances test results; and
"(3) whether a process should be established to allow drivers-
"(A) to correct errors in their records; and
"(B) to expunge information from their records after a reasonable period of time.
"(c)
Post-Accident Alcohol Testing