# Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-107: Testing subject to department of transportation procedures - Verification - Chain of custody procedures - Costs - Discrimination on grounds of voluntary treatment prohibited

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-107

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-107
- **Heading:** Testing subject to department of transportation procedures - Verification - Chain of custody procedures - Costs - Discrimination on grounds of voluntary treatment prohibited
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Section 50-9-107

## Text

(a) All specimen collection and testing for drugs and alcohol under this chapter shall be performed in accordance with the procedures provided for by the United States department of transportation rules for workplace drug and alcohol testing compiled at 49 CFR part 40. (b) A covered employer may not discharge, discipline, refuse to hire, discriminate against or request or require rehabilitation of an employee or job applicant on the sole basis of a positive test result that has not been verified by a confirmation test and by a medical review officer. (c) A covered employer that performs drug testing or specimen collection shall use chain-of-custody procedures established by regulations of the United States department of transportation or such other recognized authority approved by rule by the commissioner of labor and workforce development governing drug testing. (d) A covered employer shall pay the cost of all drug and alcohol tests, initial and confirmation, that the covered employer requires of employees. An employee or job applicant shall pay the costs of any additional drug or alcohol tests not required by the covered employer. (e) A covered employer shall not discharge, discipline or discriminate against an employee solely upon the employee's voluntarily seeking treatment, while under the employ of the covered employer, for a drug-related or alcohol-related problem if the employee has not previously tested positive for drug or alcohol use, entered an employee assistance program for drug-related or alcohol-related problems or entered a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program. Unless otherwise provided by a collective bargaining agreement, a covered employer may select the employee assistance program or drug or alcohol rehabilitation program if the covered employer pays the cost of the employee's participation in the program. However, nothing in this chapter is intended to require any employer to permit or provide a rehabilitation program. (f) If drug or alcohol testing is conducted based on reasonable suspicion, the covered employer shall promptly detail in writing the circumstances that formed the basis of the determination that reasonable suspicion existed to warrant the testing. A copy of this documentation shall be given to the employee upon request and the original documentation shall be kept confidential by the covered employer pursuant to § 50-9-109 , and shall be retained by the covered employer for at least one (1) year. Acts 1996, ch. 944, §50; 1997 , ch. 533, §§ 40- 43; 1999, ch. 520, § 41.
(a) All specimen collection and testing for drugs and alcohol under this chapter shall be performed in accordance with the procedures provided for by the United States department of transportation rules for workplace drug and alcohol testing compiled at 49 CFR part 40.
(b) A covered employer may not discharge, discipline, refuse to hire, discriminate against or request or require rehabilitation of an employee or job applicant on the sole basis of a positive test result that has not been verified by a confirmation test and by a medical review officer.
(c) A covered employer that performs drug testing or specimen collection shall use chain-of-custody procedures established by regulations of the United States department of transportation or such other recognized authority approved by rule by the commissioner of labor and workforce development governing drug testing.
(d) A covered employer shall pay the cost of all drug and alcohol tests, initial and confirmation, that the covered employer requires of employees. An employee or job applicant shall pay the costs of any additional drug or alcohol tests not required by the covered employer.
ch other recognized authority approved by rule by the commissioner of labor and workforce development governing drug testing.
(d) A covered employer shall pay the cost of all drug and alcohol tests, initial and confirmation, that the covered employer requires of employees. An employee or job applicant shall pay the costs of any additional drug or alcohol tests not required by the covered employer.
(e) A covered employer shall not discharge, discipline or discriminate against an employee solely upon the employee's voluntarily seeking treatment, while under the employ of the covered employer, for a drug-related or alcohol-related problem if the employee has not previously tested positive for drug or alcohol use, entered an employee assistance program for drug-related or alcohol-related problems or entered a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program. Unless otherwise provided by a collective bargaining agreement, a covered employer may select the employee assistance program or drug or alcohol rehabilitation program if the covered employer pays the cost of the employee's participation in the program. However, nothing in this chapter is intended to require any employer to permit or provide a rehabilitation program.
(f) If drug or alcohol testing is conducted based on reasonable suspicion, the covered employer shall promptly detail in writing the circumstances that formed the basis of the determination that reasonable suspicion existed to warrant the testing. A copy of this documentation shall be given to the employee upon request and the original documentation shall be kept confidential by the covered employer pursuant to § 50-9-109 , and shall be retained by the covered employer for at least one (1) year.
Acts 1996, ch. 944, §50; 1997 , ch. 533, §§ 40- 43; 1999, ch. 520, § 41.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-101 Legislative intent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-102 Applicability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-103 Chapter definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-104 Testing for drugs or alcohol authorized - Conditions for testing - Effect of failure to comply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-105 Written policy statement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-106 Required drug or alcohol tests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-107 Testing subject to department of transportation procedures - Verification - Chain of custody procedures - Costs - Discrimination on grounds of voluntary treatment prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-108 Drug or alcohol use not a disability - Drug or alcohol use "cause" for firing or failure to hire - Miscellaneous provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-109 Confidentiality of records - Parental notification](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-110 Prerequisites for processing test specimens - Licensure of testing laboratory](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-111 Rules and regulations - Guidelines for state testing program](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-112 Temporary employment agencies exempt from drug-free workplace requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-113 State and local government construction contracts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-9-114 Information to be included within bid or procurement specifications for construction services - Contesting a contract](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-114.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C9_S50-9-107. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
