hair testing

ROCKVILLE, Md. — A draft of proposed mandatory federal guidelines for drug testing using hair samples continues to slowly wind its way through the federal bureaucracy, still months — or perhaps longer — away from being released for public comment.

The Senate has passed legislation with a provision that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to provide an explanation for a 21-month delay in issuing mandatory federal hair testing guidelines for safety-sensitive transportation employees such as truck drivers.

In a letter to congressional transportation leaders, American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said critical claims made by organized labor groups about the use of hair specimens for drug testing of commercial drivers are based on “false notions and outdated science.”

Trade organizations representing truck drivers and commercial vehicle driver training schools were among those who said they have concerns about using hair specimens to drug test drivers.