| Published in today's Federal Register is a DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM is available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-02-28/pdf/2022-02364.pdf and in the attachment. Today we will post it on the ODAPC webpage at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/frpubs. The proposals in the NPRM include: - Permit Oral Fluid testing as an alternative drug testing method for DOT-regulated workplace testing,
- Harmonize, as needed, with the new Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
- Allow direct observation urine collections by any licensed or certified medical professional legally authorized to take part in a medical examination in the jurisdiction where the collection takes place,
- Allow MRO staff to contact pharmacies to verify a prescription that an employee provided,
- 'Un-cancel' a test that was 'cancelled' by the MRO if circumstances dictate,
- Allow the use of options of official identification numbers issued by State or Federal authorities to be used instead of Social Security Numbers,
- Laboratories provide to DOT bi-annually data that is categorized by test reason and specimen type,
- Laboratories withdrawing from the National Laboratory Certification Program provide DOT with the final data report for the reporting period in which they withdrew,
- Laboratories would be required to keep non-negative specimens for only 90 days,
- Require that the phone number provided on the Federal Drug Testing Custody Control Form for collectors connect directly to the collector and/or the collector's supervisor and not a general call center,
- Remove provisions that no longer are necessary (such as compliance dates),
- Remove the 'cross-reference' sections found at the end of the 'subpart' sections,
- Add clarifying language to other provisions (such as updated definitions and web links where necessary), and
- Allow Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) to conduct evaluations virtually.
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