Bill

Bill > HR2459


US HR2459

US HR2459
Safe Roads Act of 2011


summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

112th Congress

Bill Summary

Safe Roads Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national clearinghouse for verified positive alcohol and controlled substance test results and test refusals as well as violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) alcohol and controlled substances regulations of commercial motor vehicle operators. Prohibits the release of clearinghouse information to a commercial motor carrier employer unless there has been compliance with all applicable federal privacy laws and regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to collect fees from such employers and other authorized users for informational requests. Prohibits an employer from hiring an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the employer has determined that the individual, for the preceding three-year period, has: (1) been tested for use of alcohol and controlled substances; (2) not tested positive for their use, or tested positive but has completed the return-to-duty process; (3) not refused to be tested; and (4) not violated FMCSA alcohol and controlled substances regulations. Directs the Secretary to establish a process: (1) to require employers to request and review any clearinghouse records of individuals before their employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator and for each year thereafter as long as the individual is so employed; and (2) for an individual and a state licensing authority to request and receive information from the clearinghouse. Subjects persons who violate the requirements of this Act to both civil and criminal penalties. Requires the Secretary to take certain actions to enhance DOT oversight of testing sites.

AI Summary

This bill, the Safe Roads Act of 2011, mandates the Secretary of Transportation to create a national database, referred to as a "clearinghouse," to store verified positive alcohol and controlled substance test results, refusals to test, and violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) alcohol and drug regulations for commercial motor vehicle operators. This clearinghouse will be accessible to authorized users, including employers, who must obtain an individual's consent before accessing their records and must check the clearinghouse before hiring a new commercial driver and annually thereafter. Employers are prohibited from hiring individuals to operate commercial vehicles unless they can verify that the applicant has been tested for alcohol and drugs for the past three years, has not tested positive or has completed a return-to-duty process if they did test positive, has not refused to be tested, and has not violated FMCSA alcohol and drug regulations. The bill also allows the Secretary to charge fees to employers and other authorized users for accessing information from the clearinghouse, with exceptions for individuals requesting their own records, and establishes penalties for violations of its provisions, while also requiring enhanced oversight of drug and alcohol testing collection sites.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (23)

Last Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. (on 07/09/2011)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...