The legislation authorizing the drug screening program for
safety-sensitive positions was signed into law on April 15, 1988, and
the program was implemented November 1, 1988. On July 1, 1991,
additional legislation was signed into law which authorized the
expansion of the drug screening program to include positions located in
the mental health and retardation facilities of the Department of Social
and Rehabilitation Services. On July 1, 1998, legislation expanded the
definition of safety-sensitive positions. It was subsequently expanded
July 1, 2002.
These laws charge the Division of Personnel
Services with the responsibility to establish and implement the drug
screening program for designated positions. Positions which have been
designated for drug screening include safety-sensitive positions and
positions in classes designated by the Director at the Department of
Social and Rehabilitation Service's mental health and retardation
facilities. This includes all employees within an institution of mental
health who provide clinical therapeutic, or habilitative services to the
clients and patients of those institutions.
Safety-sensitive
positions include state law enforcement officers who are authorized to
carry firearms, state corrections officers and parole officers, state
employees at juvenile correctional facilities, the Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Attorney General, the heads of Cabinet level agencies
appointed by the Governor and employees on the Governor's staff.
All
announcements to recruit applicants for designated positions shall
contain a statement that drug screening is required at the time an offer
of employment is made. Current employees in designated positions and
any position in one of the institutions of mental health that is not a
safety sensitive position, any position in the Kansas State School for
the Blind, any position in the Kansas State School for the Deaf, and any
position in the Kansas Soldiers' Home may be tested if there is
reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use by the employee and that the
employee may be unable to perform the duties of the job safely.
Strict policies and procedures have been established to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the program.
The
goal of the Drug Screening Program is to establish state government as a
leader in promoting a drug-free workforce. Success of this program will
promote the health and safety of present and future generations of
Kansas.