49 U.S.C. § 20140

Alcohol and controlled substances testing

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(a)Definition.—In this section, “controlled substance” means any substance under section 102 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 802) specified by the Secretary of Transportation.(b)General.—(1) In the interest of safety, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations and issue orders, not later than October 28, 1992, related to alcohol and controlled substances use in railroad operations. The regulations shall establish a program requiring—(A) a railroad carrier to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, and post-accident testing of all railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions (as decided by the Secretary) for the use of a controlled substance in violation of law or a United States Government regulation, and to conduct reasonable suspicion, random, and post-accident testing of such employees for the use of alcohol in violation of law or a United States Government regulation; the regulations shall permit such railroad carriers to conduct preemployment testing of such employees for the use of alcohol; and(B) when the Secretary considers it appropriate, disqualification for an established period of time or dismissal of any employee found—(i) to have used or been impaired by alcohol when on duty; or(ii) to have used a controlled substance, whether or not on duty, except as allowed for medical purposes by law or a regulation or order under this chapter.(2) When the Secretary of Transportation considers it appropriate in the interest of safety, the Secretary may prescribe regulations and issue orders requiring railroad carriers to conduct periodic recurring testing of railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions (as decided by the Secretary) for the use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of law or a Government regulation.(c)Testing and Laboratory Requirements.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall develop requirements that shall—(1) promote, to the maximum extent practicable, individual privacy in the collection of specimens;(2) for laboratories and testing procedures for controlled substances, incorporate the Department of Health and Human Services scientific and technical guidelines dated April 11, 1988, and any amendments to those guidelines, including mandatory guidelines establishing—(A) comprehensive standards for every aspect of laboratory controlled substances testing and laboratory procedures to be applied in carrying out this section, including standards requiring the use of the best available technology to ensure the complete reliability and accuracy of controlled substances tests and strict procedures governing the chain of custody of specimens collected for controlled substances testing;(B) the minimum list of controlled substances for which individuals may be tested; and(C) appropriate standards and procedures for periodic review of laboratories and criteria for certification and revocation of certification of laboratories to perform controlled substances testing in carrying out this section;(3) require that a laboratory involved in controlled substances testing under this section have the capability and facility, at the laboratory, of performing screening and confirmation tests;(4) provide that all tests indicating the use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of law or a Government regulation be confirmed by a scientifically recognized method of testing capable of providing quantitative information about alcohol or a controlled substance;(5) provide that each specimen be subdivided, secured, and labeled in the presence of the tested individual and that a part of the specimen be retained in a secure manner to prevent the possibility of tampering, so that if the individual’s confirmation test results are positive the individual has an opportunity to have the retained part tested by a 2d confirmation test done independently at another certified laboratory if the individual requests the 2d confirmation test not later than 3 days after being advised of the results of the first confirmation test;(6) ensure appropriate safeguards for testing to detect and quantify alcohol in breath and body fluid samples, including urine and blood, through the development of regulations that may be necessary and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services;(7) provide for the confidentiality of test results and medical information (other than information about alcohol or a controlled substance) of employees, except that this clause does not prevent the use of test results for the orderly imposition of appropriate sanctions under this section; and(8) ensure that employees are selected for tests by nondiscriminatory and impartial methods, so that no employee is harassed by being treated differently from other employees in similar circumstances.(d)Rehabilitation.—The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations or issue orders establishing requirements for rehabilitation programs that at least provide for the identification and opportunity for treatment of railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions (as decided by the Secretary) in need of assistance in resolving problems with the use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of law or a Government regulation. The Secretary shall decide on the circumstances under which employees shall be required to participate in a program. Each railroad carrier is encouraged to make such a program available to all of its employees in addition to employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions. This subsection does not prevent a railroad carrier from establishing a program under this subsection in cooperation with another railroad carrier.(e)International Obligations and Foreign Laws and Regulations.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Transportation—(1) shall establish only requirements that are consistent with international obligations of the United States; and(2) shall consider applicable laws and regulations of foreign countries.(f)Other Regulations Allowed.—This section does not prevent the Secretary of Transportation from continuing in effect, amending, or further supplementing a regulation prescribed or order issued before October 28, 1991, governing the use of alcohol or a controlled substance in railroad operations.(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 876; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, § 342(b), Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 609.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
20140(a)	45:431(r)(5).	Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 202(r); added Oct. 28, 1991, Pub. L. 102–143, § 4, 105 Stat. 957.
20140(b)	45:431(r)(1) (1st–3d sentences).
20140(c)	45:431(r)(2).
20140(d)	45:431(r)(3).
20140(e)	45:431(r)(4).
20140(f)	45:431(r)(1) (last sentence).

In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the words “controlled substances” are substituted for “drug” for consistency in this section. In clauses (B) and (C), the word “found” is substituted for “determined” for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (c)(3), the words “of any employee” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c)(4), the words “by any employee” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c)(5), the word “tested” is substituted for “assayed” for consistency. The words “2d confirmation test” are substituted for “independent test” for clarity and consistency.

Editorial NotesAmendments

1995—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 104–59 amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “a railroad carrier to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, and post-accident testing of all railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions (as decided by the Secretary) for the use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of law or a United States Government regulation; and”.

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesControlled Substances Testing for Mechanical Employees

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title II, § 22427, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 756, provided that: “Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall amend the regulations under part 219 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to require all mechanical employees of railroads to be subject to all of the breath or body fluid testing set forth in subpart C, D, and E of such part, including random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, reasonable cause testing, pre-employment testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing.”

Alcohol and Controlled Substance Testing of Mechanical Employees

Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, § 8102, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4104, provided that:“(a)In General.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 24, 2018], the Secretary of Transportation shall publish a rule in the Federal Register revising the regulations promulgated under section 20140 of title 49, United States Code, to cover all employees of railroad carriers who perform mechanical activities.“(b)Definition of Mechanical Activities.—For the purposes of the rule under subsection (a), the Secretary shall define the term ‘mechanical activities’ by regulation.”

Alcohol and Controlled Substance Testing for Maintenance-of-Way Employees

Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title IV, § 412, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4889, as amended by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11316(j)(6), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1678, provided that: “Not later than 2 years following the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the Secretary shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to revise the regulations prescribed under section 20140 of title 49, United States Code, to cover all employees of railroad carriers and contractors or subcontractors to railroad carriers who perform maintenance-of-way activities.”

[For definition of “railroad carrier”, as used in section 412 of Pub. L. 110–432, set out above, see section 2(a) of Pub. L. 110–432, set out as a note under section 20102 of this title.]’

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 11 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1997–2025 · leading case: Michael Chapman v. Lab One, 390 F.3d 620 (8th Cir. 2004).

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Michael Chapman v. Lab One, 390 F.3d 620 (8th Cir. 2004). · cites it 4× “49 U.S.C. § 20140 (b); see also Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, Pub.”

Follmer v. Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Ry. Co., 585 N.W.2d 87 (Minn. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “” 49 U.S.C. § 20140 (b)(1)(A) (1994). To the extent practicable, the laws and regulations were to be nationally uniform.”

Chapman v. Labone, 252 F. Supp. 2d 814 (S.D. Iowa 2003). “See Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, 49 U.S.C. § 20140 . To accomplish this mandate, the Department of Transportation promulgated the Control of Alcohol and Drug Use regulations.”

Bradford v. Union Pac. R.R., 872 F. Supp. 2d 912 (D. Ariz. 2012). “Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 20140 and 49 C.F.R. § 219.9 (a), violations of federal drug testing regulations may result in the imposition of civil fines by the Federal Railroad Administration.”

United Transp. Union & C.J. Finks v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 116 F.3d 430 (9th Cir. 1997). “(repealed 1994) (continuing authority provided by 49 U.S.C. § 20140 (f) (1997)), the Department of Transportation has promulgated regulations banning the use of alcohol and certain drugs by *431 covered railroad employees, and requiring that those employees be tested on a random…”

Fifie v. Cooksey, 403 F. Supp. 2d 1131 (M.D. Fla. 2005). · cites it 4× “49 U.S.C. § 20140 (b). In requiring the Secretary to prepare regulations, however, the statute allowed those regulations already in effect to remain or be amended or supplemented.”

Howell v. Lab One, Inc., 243 F. Supp. 2d 987 (D. Neb. 2003). · cites it 2× “§ 20101 , as amended by the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 (FOTETA), 49 U.S.C. § 20140 , and is governed by regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation, at 49 C.”

Smeltzer v. Slater, 93 F. Supp. 2d 1095 (C.D. Cal. 2000). · cites it 2× “§ 2342 ; 49 U.S.C. § 20140 . In their opposition, Plaintiffs allege that “[t]he government is attempting to ‘redraft’ the complaint so that it is a review of final agency action and, therefore, subject to the Hobbs Act requirements.”

Jackson v. Broth. Relief & Compen. Fund, 779 N.W.2d 589 (Neb. 2010). “952 (codified at 49 U.S.C. § 20140 (2006)). [6] See id. [7] See 49 C.”

Danzy v. CSX Transp., Inc. (E.D.N.C. 2025). · cites it 2× “See 49 U.S.C. § 20140 ; see also Am. Trucking Ass’ns v.”

Est. of Townsend v. Montana Rail, 2000 MT 363N (Mont. 2000). “htm own General Code of Operating Rules; that 49 U.S.C. § 20140 requires drug and alcohol testing of all employees after an accident; that 49 U.”

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