Safe Roads Act of 2011
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (7 Apr 2011): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
S. 754, the Safe Roads Act of 2011, would direct the Secretary of Transportation to create, within two years of enactment, a national clearinghouse of records on alcohol and controlled substance test results for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators, including positive tests, test refusals, and related violations. The clearinghouse would allow electronic reporting and access by authorized users, could be operated by a private entity under the Secretary's authorization, and would be subject to privacy protections, fee limits, record retention rules, and a dispute process for individuals. The bill also requires urine-collection sites used for drug testing to register annually with the Department of Transportation and be certified as meeting federal requirements, with a public list published.
The bill primarily affects CMV drivers, trucking and bus companies (employers), medical review officers, drug/alcohol testing service agents, state commercial driver's license agencies, and drug-testing collection sites. Employers would be required to check the clearinghouse before hiring and annually thereafter, and could face penalties for violations; state licensing officials would have implied access to driver records. The measure also authorizes up to $5 million from the Highway Trust Fund for setting up the system, contingent on a report to Congress, while barring further appropriations for its ongoing operation.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 7, 2011, by Senator Mark Pryor and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a vote in the 112th Congress and did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official 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.
Timeline
7 Apr 2011
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 754 do?
- S. 754, the Safe Roads Act of 2011, would direct the Secretary of Transportation to create, within two years of enactment, a national clearinghouse of records on alcohol and controlled substance test results for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators, including positive tests, test refusals, and related violations. The clearinghouse would allow electronic reporting and access by authorized users, could be operated by a private entity under the Secretary's authorization, and would be subject to privacy protections, fee limits, record retention rules, and a dispute process for individuals. The bill also requires urine-collection sites used for drug testing to register annually with the Department of Transportation and be certified as meeting federal requirements, with a public list published. The bill primarily affects CMV drivers, trucking and bus companies (employers), medical review officers, drug/alcohol testing service agents, state commercial driver's license agencies, and drug-testing collection sites. Employers would be required to check the clearinghouse before hiring and annually thereafter, and could face penalties for violations; state licensing officials would have implied access to driver records. The measure also authorizes up to $5 million from the Highway Trust Fund for setting up the system, contingent on a report to Congress, while barring further appropriations for its ongoing operation. The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 7, 2011, by Senator Mark Pryor and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a vote in the 112th Congress and did not become law.
- Has S. 754 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 754. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 754?
- S. 754 was sponsored by Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR] (D-AR), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 754?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (7 Apr 2011).
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