Inmate Drug Testing Programs

AGENCY:

Bureau of Prisons, Justice.

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

In this document, the Bureau of Prisons is proposing to revise and consolidate its regulations on inmate alcohol testing and urine surveillance. This revision is intended to eliminate unnecessary regulations and to provide for greater flexibility in the use of drug testing technology.

DATES:

Comments due by November 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Rules Unit, Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, HOLC Room 754, 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sarah Qureshi, Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, phone (202) 514-6655.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Bureau of Prisons is proposing to consolidate its regulations on alcohol testing (28 CFR part 550, subpart A) and urine surveillance (28 CFR part 550, subpart D). Current regulations on alcohol testing were published in the Federal Register on May 20, 1980 (45 FR 33940); current regulations on urine surveillance were published in the Federal Register on August 26, 1997 (62 FR 45292).

The existence of separate regulations governing alcohol testing and urinalysis testing reflects, in part, the different test methods traditionally available for detecting alcohol and other drug usage. While breathalyzer devices were commonly used in alcohol testing, urinalysis was the preferred method for detecting other drug usage. Advances in drug testing technology have increased the number of test methods suitable for use. The Bureau's regulations on urine surveillance need to be adjusted accordingly.

The Bureau is therefore revising its regulations on alcohol testing and urine surveillance as one consolidated regulation on drug testing programs. Consolidating these regulations is appropriate not only for the sake of eliminating unnecessary regulations but also for the sake of consistency with the treatment of alcohol abuse in the Bureau's regulations on drug abuse treatment programs (28 CFR part 550, subpart F).

Rather than specify the particular testing methods to be used, the revised regulations state that the Warden is to be responsible for selecting the method or methods of drug testing from the list of approved drug test methods compiled by the Bureau's Central Office. Having a compiled list of approved drug test methods provides for flexibility in the choice of methods. Documentation as to the validity of the tests and instructions for their use are to be maintained by the Bureau's Central Office as a matter of internal administrative management.

The current regulations defining refusal to participate are keyed solely to urinalysis procedures and are unnecessarily prescriptive, citing two hours as to the length of time given to produce the urine sample or specifying that staff shall offer the inmate eight ounces of water at the start of the two-hour period.

These provisions are revised to specify that staff supervising the drug test are to be the same gender as the inmate being tested if supervising the drug test involves an observation of intimate body parts or bodily functions (for example, the production of a urine sample). Inmates will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the provisions governing inmate discipline (28 CFR part 541, subpart B) if they refuse to participate or test positive for prohibited drug use. Refusal to participate can be demonstrated verbally or by actions. For example, if an inmate states that he or she will not take the test, staff may charge the inmate with Prohibited Act Code 110, refusing to provide a urine sample or to take part in other drug-abuse testing. Examples of an inmate refusing to participate by action include an inmate who tampers with a drug test or who fails to provide a urine sample despite being given a reasonable opportunity to do so. The Bureau's internal guidance on defining “reasonable opportunity” retains instructions formerly cited in the regulations as to the availability of water (at least eight ounces) and the length of time (at least two hours) given to produce a urine sample. Staff are to document the circumstances pertaining to the inmate's refusal to participate.

Interested persons may participate in this proposed rulemaking by submitting data, views, or arguments in writing to the Rules Unit, Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., HOLC Room 754, Washington, DC 20534. Comments received during the comment period will be considered before final action is taken. Comments received after the expiration of the comment period will be considered to the extent practicable. All comments received remain on file for public inspection at the above address. The proposed rule may be changed in light of the comments received. No oral hearings are contemplated.

Executive Order 12866

This rule falls within a category of actions that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined not to constitute “significant regulatory actions” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and, accordingly, it was not reviewed by OMB.

Executive Order 12612

This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this regulation and by approving it certifies that this regulation will not have a significant economic impact upon a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This rule pertains to the correctional management of offenders committed to the custody of the Attorney General or the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, and its economic impact is limited to the Bureau's appropriated funds.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

This rule is not a major rule as defined by § 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.

Plain Language Instructions

We try to write clearly. If you can suggest how to improve the clarity of these regulations, call or write Sarah Qureshi at the address listed above.

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 550

• Prisoners

Accordingly, pursuant to the rulemaking authority vested in the Attorney General in 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and delegated to the Director, Bureau of Prisons in 28 CFR 0.96(o), we propose to amend part 550 in subchapter C of 28 CFR, chapter V as set forth below.

SUBCHAPTER C—INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT

PART 550—DRUG PROGRAMS

1. The authority citation for 28 CFR part 550 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 3521-3528, 3621, 3622, 3624, 4001, 4042, 4046, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 5006-5024 (Repealed October 12, 1984 as to offenses committed after that date), 5039; 21 U.S.C. 848; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510; Title V, Pub. L. 91-452, 84 Stat. 933 (18 U.S.C. Chapter 223); 28 CFR 0.95-0.99.

Subpart B—[Removed and Reserved]

2. Subpart B, consisting of § 550.10, is removed and reserved.

3. Subpart D is revised to read as follows:

Subpart D—Inmate Drug Testing Programs

Subpart D—Inmate Drug Testing Programs