All Personnel
Board Policy No.  4112.42/4212.42/4312.42
Revised: November 2, 2023

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

The Governing Board desires to ensure district-provided transportation is safe for district students, staff, and public. To that end, the Superintendent or designee shall establish a drug and alcohol testing program designed to prevent the operation of buses or the performance of other safety-sensitive functions by a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including a driver of a school bus, student activity bus, or other school transportation vehicle or any other employee who holds a commercial driver's license, which is necessary to perform duties related to district employment.
(cf. 3542 - School Bus Drivers)
(cf. 3543 – Transportation Safety and Emergencies)
(cf. 4020 – Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace)

A driver shall not report for duty or remain on duty when the driver has used any drug
listed in 21 CFR 1308.11. A driver is also prohibited from reporting for duty or remaining on duty when the driver has used any drug listed in 21 CFR 1308.12-1308.15, unless the driver is using the drug under the direction of a physician who has advised the driver that the substance will not adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a bus. (49 CFR 382.213)

In addition, a driver shall not consume alcohol while on duty and/or performing safety-sensitive functions, or for four hours prior to on-duty time. (49 CFR 382.205, 382.207)
Drivers shall submit to drug and alcohol testing as required under federal law and
specified in the accompanying administrative regulation. The district's testing program  for drivers shall include pre-employment drug testing and reasonable suspicion, random, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing of drivers.
(49 USC 31306; 49 CFR 382.301-382.311)

The Board shall contract for testing services upon verifying that the personnel are appropriately qualified and/or certified and that testing procedures conform to federal regulations.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the Superintendent or designee shall not release
individual test results or medical information about a driver to a third party without the driver's specific written consent. (49 CFR 40.321)

Consequences Based on Test Results

No driver shall be temporarily removed from the performance of safety-sensitive
functions based only on a laboratory report of a confirmed positive test for a drug or
drug metabolite before the certified medical review officer has completed verification of
the test results, unless the district has obtained a waiver from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (49 CFR 40.21, 382.107, 382.119)

Any driver for whom the district receives a verified positive drug test result or who is found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or higher shall be immediately removed from performing safety-sensitive functions in accordance with 49 CFR 40.23 and 382.211. An alcohol concentration between 0.02 and 0.04 requires temporary removal of the bus driver for a 24-hour period following the test. Any driver who refuses to take a required drug or alcohol test shall not be permitted to perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive functions. (49 CFR 40.23, 382.211)

Not later than five days after receiving notification of the test result or refusal to comply,
the Superintendent or designee shall report any refusal, failure to comply, or positive test result to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using a form approved by the DMV. (Vehicle Code 13376)

Any driver provided with an opportunity to return to a safety-sensitive duty following a
violation shall be evaluated by a qualified substance abuse professional and complete
the evaluation recommendations before returning to such duty. (49 CFR 40.289)

If the substance abuse professional recommends that ongoing services are needed to assist the driver to maintain sobriety or abstinence from drug use, the Superintendent or designee shall require the driver to participate in the recommended services as part of a return-to-duty agreement and shall monitor his/her compliance. Any drop from a rehabilitation or return-to-duty program or a subsequent positive test result shall be reported to the DMV. (Vehicle Code 13376; 49 CFR 40.285, 40.287, 40.303, 382.605)
(cf. 4161/4261 - Leaves)
(cf. 4261.1 - Personal Illness/Injury Leave)

A driver who has violated federal drug and alcohol regulations may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal in accordance with law, administrative regulations, and the district's collective bargaining agreement.

Voluntary Self-Identification

Whenever a driver admits to alcohol or drug misuse under the district's voluntary self-identification program, the Superintendent or designee shall ensure all of the following:
(49 CFR 382.121)
1. No adverse action shall be taken against the driver by the district.

2. The driver shall be allowed sufficient opportunity to seek evaluation, education, or treatment to establish control over his/her drug or alcohol problem.

3. The driver shall be permitted to participate in safety-sensitive functions only after:
1. Successfully completing an education or treatment program, as determined by a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation expert, such as an employee assistance professional, substance abuse professional, or qualified drug and alcohol counselor

2. Undergoing a return-to-duty test with a result indicating an alcohol concentration of less than 0.02 and/or a verified negative result for drug use

A driver who admits to alcohol or drug misuse shall not be subject to federal requirements related to referral, evaluation, and treatment, provided that he/she does not self-identify in order to avoid drug or alcohol testing, makes the admission prior to performing a safety-sensitive function, and does not perform a safety-sensitive function until he/she has been evaluated and has successfully completed education or treatment requirements in accordance with program guidelines. (49 CFR 382.121)

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
35160 Authority of governing boards
GOVERNMENT CODE
8355 Drug-free workplace; employee notification
Personnel BP 4112.42
VEHICLE CODE
13376 Driver certificates; revocation or suspension
34500-34520.5 Safety regulations
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 13
1200-1293 Motor carrier safety, especially:
1213.1 Placing drivers out-of-service
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 41
8101-8106 Drug-Free Workplace Act
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 49
31306 Alcohol and drug testing CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 21
1308.11-1308.15 Controlled substances
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 49
40.1-40.413 Procedures for transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing programs
382.101-382.605 Drug and alcohol use and testing; especially:
382.205 On-duty use
382.207 Pre-duty use
382.209 Use following an accident