MS SB2248

Law enforcement officers who test positive for drug use via urinalysis must be given the opportunity to undergo a more scientifically reliable follow-up test before being terminated or suspended without pay

Officers who test positive may be placed on administrative leave with pay and have 2 business days to contest results, followed by 5 additional days to submit to a hair follicle test at a certified laboratory

The hair follicle test is initially paid by the officer, but the employer must reimburse the cost if the result is negative; if positive, the officer bears the cost

If the hair follicle test is negative for the drugs identified in the urinalysis, the original result is declared a false positive and the officer must be immediately reinstated to their previous position

Effective date of July 1, 2021