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S 561 101th Congress Senate

Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1989

Official title: A bill to provide for testing for the use, without lawful authorization, of alcohol or controlled substances by the operators of aircraft, railroads, and comme… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to provide for testing for the use, without lawful authorization, of alcohol or controlled substances by the operators of aircraft, railroads, and commercial motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 9, 1989 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Airline employeesAlcoholismAviation safetyCommon carriers
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Drug abuseDrug abuse preventionDrug testingDrugs and employmentDrunk drivingFederal employeesRailroad employeesRailroad safetyTraffic accidents and safetyTransportation safetyTreatment and rehabilitation of alcoholicsTreatment and rehabilitation of narcotic addicts
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 11, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.
Nov 24, 1989
Executive Comment Requested from DOT and OMB.
Nov 24, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Nov 24, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.
Nov 13, 1989
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 13, 1989
Referred jointly to the House Committee on Public Works + Transportation.
Nov 13, 1989
Received in the House.
Nov 13, 1989
Referred jointly to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Nov 9, 1989
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Nov 9, 1989
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Oct 25, 1989
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 314.
Oct 25, 1989
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-172.
Aug 1, 1989
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jun 15, 1989
Committee on Commerce. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 101-191.
Mar 9, 1989
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mar 9, 1989
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action December 11, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a program requiring air carriers and foreign air carriers to conduct pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, periodic recurring, random, and post-accident testing of employees whose duties include responsibility for safety-sensitive functions for use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of Federal law.

Requires the Administrator to establish the same program for FAA employees. Sets forth guidelines for such program.

Prohibits such employees from serving in safety-sensitive functions unless they have completed a rehabilitation program established under FAA auspices. Prohibits such individuals from performing air transportation-related duties if they: (1) engaged in such use while on duty; (2) prior to such use had completed a rehabilitation program; (3) following a determination of such use refuse to undertake such a program; or (4) fail to complete the program.

Requires the Administrator to prescribe regulations setting forth requirements for rehabilitation programs which provide for the identification and opportunity for treatment of such employees in resolving problems with substance abuse.

Requires the Administrator to establish and maintain such a rehabilitation program for FAA employees whose duties include responsibility for flight safety operations and who need assistance in resolving substance abuse problems. Outlines the requirements of such program.

Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations relating to alcohol and drug use in railroad operations. Outlines the requirements for test procedures for alcohol and drug use among railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions.

Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to direct the Secretary to establish a program requiring motor carriers to conduct pre-employment, periodic recurring, random, and post-accident testing of commercial motor vehicle operators for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Mandates that such program include post-accident testing of a commercial motor vehicle operator in any accident involving a commercial motor vehicle in which serious bodily injury, loss of human life, or significant property damage has occurred.

Directs the Secretary to issue regulations setting forth the requirements for a rehabilitation program for the identification and opportunity for treatment of commercial motor vehicle operators who are determined to have used alcohol or a controlled substance. Sets forth the requirements of the testing procedures. Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine appropriate sanctions against operators who are determined, as a result of such tests, to have used alcohol or a controlled substance (but who are not under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance); (2) design and implement a pilot test program for the random testing of commercial motor vehicle operators to determine the use of alcohol or a controlled substance; (3) solicit (and select) State participation in such a program; and (4) submit a comprehensive report to the Congress setting forth the pilot program results.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 for such pilot testing program.

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 561: Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-561/
MLA
"S. 561: Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-561/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 561, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-561/.
Markdown link
[S. 561: Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-561/)
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