House Bill 1056 Summary

• Creates Section 45-6-16 requiring law enforcement officers accused of drug use based on urinalysis to receive a more scientifically reliable follow-up test before termination or suspension without pay.

• Officers who test positive on a urinalysis are placed on paid administrative leave and have two business days to contest results in writing.

• Officers contesting results have an additional five days to submit a hair follicle sample at a certified laboratory for drug analysis.

• If the hair follicle test is negative for the drugs found in the urinalysis, results are declared a false positive and the officer is immediately reinstated; officer pays for negative test results, employer reimburses; officer bears cost if positive.

• Amends Section 45-6-17 to exempt paid administrative leave under Section 45-6-16 from the prohibition on using public funds to pay officers with suspended or revoked certificates; effective July 1, 2024.