The amendments that go into effect as of January 18, 2001 are…

1.  Split Specimens of the original samples that are interpreted as adulterated and substituted and reviewed by the MRO are allowed to be retested at another laboratory at the request of the donor.

2.  Handling of dilute specimens must be a company policy that applies for all safety sensitive employees if the company chooses to retest dilute specimens.

3.  A Public Interest Exclusion (PIE), has been added that will subject third party administrators to fines and penalties if they should not perform their tasks properly.

4.  Electronic Transmission of Data and Results to employers from third party administrators will be allowed to a greater degree.

5.  Validity Testing of the specimens , which is designed to deter and identify attempts to adulterate or substitute the original specimen will continue to be voluntary on the part of certified labs.

 Additional changes that will be implemented in August 2001 with the Revised 49 CFR 40 are

1.  Ability of companies to apply for stand down waivers , that allows a company to temporarily remove safety sensitive employees from their position while the MRO investigates whether or not there may be a legitimate medical reason for a positive specimen.

2.  Enhanced Training requirements for drug and alcohol testing personnel

3.  Pre-employment verification requirements of the drug and alcohol testing history of safety sensitive employees by a new employer