SB47 Alabama 2014 Session

Under existing law, there is no requirement that a person applying for or receiving unemployment compensation benefits be tested for illegal substance abuse.

This bill would require an applicant for unemployment benefits to be tested for substance abuse if he or she works in an occupation designated by the United States Department of Labor as an occupation for which drug screenings are regularly conducted.

This bill would provide that any applicant testing positive for a drug without a valid prescription would be ineligible for unemployment benefits.

This bill also would authorize the Alabama Department of Labor to adopt rules to implement this program.

Relating to unemployment compensation; to require the Alabama Department of Labor to implement and administer a drug screening program for any person applying for unemployment benefits if he or she works in an occupation designated by the United States Department of Labor as an occupation for which drug screenings are regularly conducted; to require the department to provide notice of the drug screening to applicants; to specify who is responsible for costs associated with the drug screening; to provide that an adult testing positive for a drug under this screening program is ineligible to receive benefits; and to authorize the department to adopt rules to implement the act.