SB47 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jerry L. Fielding

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Human Resources Department, public assistance, drug testing for applicants and recipients required upon reasonable suspicion, ineligibility under certain conditions, department to implement, rulemaking authority

Summary

SB47 would require unemployment-benefits applicants who work in occupations designated for drug screening to take a drug test, with a positive result or refusal disqualifying benefits and the Department of Labor administering and paying for the program.

What This Bill Does

The Alabama Department of Labor would implement and administer a drug screening program for any unemployment benefits applicant who works in an occupation designated by the US Department of Labor as regularly screened. The department would pay the cost of screening. Applicants who refuse or delay screening become ineligible for benefits, and a positive screening result could lead to denial of benefits and would count as failure to accept suitable work. Results would be admissible only in administrative hearings and judicial review, not in criminal cases, and the department would issue notices and require signed acknowledgment.

Who It Affects

• Unemployed individuals applying for unemployment benefits who work in occupations designated by the U.S. Department of Labor as regularly screened would be required to take a drug test and could lose benefits if they test positive or refuse.
• The Alabama Department of Labor would implement and oversee the program, pay for testing, issue notices, and adopt rules to run the program.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'drug' to include certain prescription drugs and illegal substances and their metabolites, and defines 'drug screening' as a lab test performed by a certified laboratory.
• Requires the Alabama Department of Labor to implement and administer the drug screening program for eligible unemployment-benefits applicants.
• Costs of drug screening are paid by the Department.
• Applicants who refuse or delay screening are ineligible for unemployment benefits; a positive result can lead to denial and is treated as failure to accept suitable work under 25-4-78.
• Results of drug screenings are not admissible in criminal proceedings but may be used in administrative hearings and for judicial review.
• Applicants are to receive notice at the time of application and must sign an acknowledgment that they understand the notice.
• The Department must adopt rules to implement the act.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Human Resources Department