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HR 5531 99th Congress House

A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain restrictions relating to drug testing by Federal agencies, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 6, 1986 See on congress.gov
Labor and Employment Administration of justiceArmed Forces and National SecurityCivil actions and liabilityCivil service employment
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Collective bargaining agreementsCongress and Members of CongressCongressional agenciesCongressional employeesCourts and Civil ProcedureDrug abuseDrugsDrugs and employmentDrugs and narcoticsEmployee rightsFederal employeesFederal employees and officialsJudicial officersLibrariesLibrary of CongressMilitary personnel
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 16, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.
Sep 16, 1986
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 16, 1986

Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Prohibits an agency from requesting or requiring that an employee submit to a drug test unless at least two individuals having supervisory or oversight authority with respect to such employee concur that: (1) the employee's performance is impaired; and (2) there is reason to believe the impairment is due to the employee's being under the influence of a controlled substance. Declares that an employee having a positive result in a drug test may be requested or required to submit to a confirmatory drug test. Authorizes an agency to take action against any employee who tests out positive in a confirmatory drug test, or who refuses to submit to a confirmatory drug test.

Directs the Office of Personnel Management to establish general guidelines to carry out this Act.

Authorizes persons aggrieved by a violation of this Act to bring a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court.

Declares that employees subject to collective bargaining agreements shall not be subject to drug tests: (1) if, or to the extent, such tests would violate such agreement; or (2) if drug tests are not covered by such agreement, unless or until there has been consultation in accordance with applicable law.

Declares that this Act does not apply to employees of the Central Intelligency or the National Security Agency.

Makes this Act applicable to an executive agency, a military department, a court of the United States, the Administrative Office of the United States, the Library of Congress, the Botanic Garden, and the Government Printing Office.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5531: A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain restrictions relating to drug testing by Federal agencies, and for other purposes.. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5531/
MLA
"H.R. 5531: A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain restrictions relating to drug testing by Federal agencies, and for other purposes.." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5531/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5531, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5531/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5531: A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain restrictions relating to drug testing by Federal agencies, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5531/)
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