§ 11-14-104 — Testing for drugs or alcohol authorized - Conditions for testing - Effect of failure to comply

(a) (1) A covered employer may test a job applicant for alcohol or for any drug described in § 11-14-102 . Provided, for public employees such testing shall be limited to the extent permitted by the Arkansas Constitution and the United States Constitution. A covered employer may test an employee for any drug and at any time as set out in § 11-14-106 . An employee who is not in a safety-sensitive position may be tested for alcohol only when the test is based upon reasonable suspicion. An employee in a safety-sensitive position may be tested for alcohol use at any occasion described in §§ 11-14-102 - 11-14-105 , inclusive. (2) In order to qualify as having established a drug-free workplace program that affords a covered employer the ability to qualify for the discounts provided under § 11-14-112 , all drug or alcohol testing conducted by covered employers shall be in conformity with the standards and procedures established in this chapter and all applicable rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. If a covered employer fails to maintain a drug-free workplace program in accordance with the standards and procedures established in this section and in applicable rules, the covered employers shall not be eligible for discounts under § 11-14-112 . All covered employers qualifying for and receiving discounts provided under § 11-14-112 must be reported annually by the insurer to the Director of the Workers' Health and Safety Division of the Workers' Compensation Commission. (b) The director shall adopt a form pursuant to rule-making authority, which form shall be used by the employer to certify compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Substantial compliance in completing and filing the form with the director shall create a rebuttable presumption that the employer has established a drug-free workplace program and is entitled to the protection and benefit of this chapter. Prior to granting any premium credit to an employer pursuant to § 11-14-112 , all insurers shall obtain the form from the employer. (c) It is intended that any employer required to test its employees pursuant to the requirements of any federal statute or regulation shall be deemed to be in conformity with this section as to the employees it is required to test by those standards and procedures designated in that federal statute or regulation. All other employees of the employer shall be subject to testing as provided in this chapter in order for the employer to qualify as having a drug-free workplace program.

Legislative History

Acts 1999, No. 1552, § 4.