944.474 Legislative intent; employee wellness program; drug and alcohol testing. - Florida Statutes

944.474 Legislative intent; employee wellness program; drug and alcohol testing.

   (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the state correctional system provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff. A healthy workforce is a productive workforce, and security of the state correctional system can best be provided by strong and healthy employees. The Department of Corrections may develop and implement an employee wellness program. The program may include, but is not limited to, wellness education, smoking cessation, nutritional education, and overall health-risk reduction, including the effects of using drugs and alcohol.

   (2) Under no circumstances shall employees of the department test positive for illegal use of controlled substances. An employee of the department may not be under the influence of alcohol while on duty. In order to ensure that these prohibitions are adhered to by all employees of the department and notwithstanding s. 112.0455, the department may develop a program for the random drug testing of all employees. The department may randomly evaluate employees for the contemporaneous use or influence of alcohol through the use of alcohol tests and observation methods. Notwithstanding s. 112.0455, the department may develop a program for the reasonable suspicion drug testing of employees who are in safety-sensitive or special risk positions, as defined in s. 112.0455(5), for the controlled substances listed in s. 893.03(3)(d). The reasonable suspicion drug testing authorized by this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with s. 112.0455, but may also include testing upon reasonable suspicion based on violent acts or violent behavior of an employee who is on or off duty. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 that are necessary to administer this subsection.

History. s. 9, ch. 96-312; s. 1, ch. 2006-116; s. 40, ch. 2010-117.