FL S0258

Creates the Drug Deterrence Pilot Program within the Agency for Workforce Innovation, requiring drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants and recipients in Regional Workforce Board 18, effective October 1, 2010.

Establishes screening mechanism to identify likely illicit drug users and mandates drug testing for identified individuals; applicants must agree to testing as condition of claiming or receiving benefits.

Disqualifies individuals from unemployment benefits for refusing to submit to drug testing or testing positive for drugs (amphetamines, cocaine, PCP, opiates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, and related substances); disqualification lasts up to 52 weeks and until individual earns at least 17 times their weekly benefit amount.

Requires specimen collection and testing procedures to prevent contamination, preserve positive samples for at least 6 months, and allow individuals to request retesting using advanced methods; test results from approved laboratories are self-authenticating and admissible in unemployment hearings.

Agency must report to Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2012 on testing results, denied benefits, program costs, and savings; Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability must evaluate program effectiveness; program expires June 30, 2012.