February 14, 2024 Last Edit: July 21, 2024
NFIB Iowa supports legislation to make long overdue changes to Iowa’s drug and alcohol testing statute.
Under Iowa’s current drug and alcohol testing statute, an employer who is sued by an employee must prove their innocence. NFIB supports SF 319, which makes long overdue changes to the system and will protect employers from frivolous litigation.
The changes include:
- Flipping the burden of proof to the employees so the employer would remain innocent until proven guilty. This is proper jurisprudence.
- Modernizing communication methods for exchanging drug and alcohol testing results. Certified mail, return receipt requested is mandated in law, but under the bill, the employer would be allowed to offer in-person exchange, electronic exchange, or the current certified mail, return receipt requested method to the employee.
- Tightening the definition of “safety sensitive position”, which is meant to eliminate subjectivity in interpretation.
NFIB Iowa will continue to advocate for these reforms!
NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.