Paul D. Coverdell drug-free workplace program
Definitions
In this section:
Drug-free workplace program
The term “drug-free workplace program” means a program that includes—
a written policy, including a clear statement of expectations for workplace behavior, prohibitions against reporting to work or working under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, prohibitions against the use or possession of illegal drugs in the workplace, and the consequences of violating those expectations and prohibitions;
drug and alcohol abuse prevention training for a total of not less than 2 hours for each employee, and additional voluntary drug and alcohol abuse prevention training for employees who are parents;
employee illegal drug testing, with analysis conducted by a drug testing laboratory certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or approved by the College of American Pathologists for forensic drug testing, and a review of each positive test result by a medical review officer;
employee access to an employee assistance program, including confidential assessment, referral, and short-term problem resolution; and
continuing alcohol and drug abuse prevention education.
Eligible intermediary
The term “eligible intermediary” means an organization—
that has not less than 2 years of experience in carrying out drug-free workplace programs;
that has a drug-free workplace policy in effect;
that is located in a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States; and
the purpose of which is—
to develop comprehensive drug-free workplace programs or to supply drug-free workplace services; or
to provide other forms of assistance and services to small business concerns; or
that is eligible to receive a grant under chapter 2 of the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 (21 U.S.C. 1521 et seq.).
Employee
The term “employee” includes any—
applicant for employment;
employee;
supervisor;
manager;
officer of a small business concern who is active in management of the concern; and
owner of a small business concern who is active in management of the concern.
Medical review officer
The term “medical review officer”—
means a licensed physician with knowledge of substance abuse disorders; and
does not include any—
employee of the small business concern; or
employee or agent of, or any person having a financial interest in, the laboratory for which the illegal drug test results are being reviewed.
Establishment
In general
Additional grants for technical assistance
2-year grants
Promotion of effective practices of eligible intermediaries
Technical assistance and information
Evaluation of program
Data collection and analysis
Method of evaluation
Evaluation and coordination
Not later than 18 months after
evaluate the drug-free workplace programs established with assistance made available under this section; and
submit to Congress a report describing the results of the evaluation under paragraph (1).
Contract authority
In carrying out this section, the Administrator may—
contract with public and private entities to provide assistance related to carrying out the program under this section; and
compensate those entities for provision of that assistance.
Construction
Authorization
In general
Small business development centers
Additional authorization for technical assistance grants
Limitation on administrative costs
Source
(Pub. L. 85–536, § 2[27], as added Pub. L. 101–574, title III, § 310,Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Findings and Purposes of 1998 Amendment
Findings.—
Congress finds that—
74 percent of adults who use illegal drugs are employed;
small business concerns employ over 50 percent of the Nation’s workforce;
in more than 88 percent of families with children under the age of 18, at least 1 parent is employed; and
employees who use and abuse addictive illegal drugs and alcohol increase costs for businesses and risk the health and safety of all employees because—
absenteeism is 66 percent higher among drug users than individuals who do not use drugs;
health benefit utilization is 300 percent higher among drug users than individuals who do not use drugs;
47 percent of workplace accidents are drug-related;
disciplinary actions are 90 percent higher among drug users than among individuals who do not use drugs; and
employee turnover is significantly higher among drug users than among individuals who do not use drugs.
Purposes.—
The purposes of this title [see Short Title of 1998 Amendment note set out under section 631 of this title] are to—
educate small business concerns about the advantages of a drug-free workplace;
provide grants and technical assistance in addition to financial incentives to enable small business concerns to create a drug-free workplace;
assist working parents in keeping their children drug-free; and
encourage small business employers and employees alike to participate in drug-free workplace programs.”
Sense of Congress for 1998 Amendment
businesses should adopt drug-free workplace programs;
States should consider incentives to encourage businesses to adopt drug-free workplace programs; and
such incentives may include—
financial incentives, including—
a reduction in workers’ compensation premiums;
a reduction in unemployment insurance premiums; and
tax deductions in an amount equal to the amount of expenditures for employee assistance programs, treatment, or illegal drug testing; and
other incentives, such as the adoption of liability limitations, as recommended by the President’s Commission on Model State Drug Laws.”