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Legislators in Alaska passed a bill that will permit employers to use saliva for drug and alcohol testing purposes.

Senate Bill 196

Alaska’s Senate Bill 196 (SB196), also known as An Act relating to drug and alcohol testing by employers was signed into law in May 2024. The Act clarifies that employers are already allowed to use urine or breath for job-related drug tests and adds oral fluid to that list. Further, SB196 states that this must be consistent with a business necessity and the terms of the employer's policies, including:

• Investigation of possible employee impairment.
• Investigation of accidents in the workplace.
• An employee may be required to undergo drug or alcohol impairment testing for an accident if the test is administered as soon as is practical following an accident. Such tests may only be used for employees whom the employer reasonably believes may have contributed to the accident.
• Maintenance of safety for employees, customers, clients, or the public.
• Maintenance of productivity, the quality of products or services, or the security of property or information.
• Reasonable suspicion that an employee might be affected by the use of drugs or alcohol and that such use may adversely affect the job performance or the work environment.

Oral Fluid Tests Were Federally Approved

SB196 follows federal approval of oral drug tests for employment purposes. This was done to give organizations another option when screening applicants or employees. A summary of that law said it will “give employers a choice that will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provide a less intrusive means of achieving the safety goals of the program.”

Drug Testing Options

Employers in Alaska and throughout the United States have various options when screening for the presence of illegal substances or intoxication at the workplace. Backgrounds Online offers a variety of panels that can check for specific substances.

As many states have legalized medical and/or recreational cannabis, some employers prefer to not test for marijuana metabolites. Upon request, that substance can be omitted from any panel your organization chooses to run. If you have questions about oral drug testing or anything related, please feel free to reach out to our friendly staff for expert assistance.

Backgrounds Online works with a large network of providers, so we can find a lab that is convenient for anyone you need to screen.

Background Check Packages

Drug testing may be included or excluded from any background check. Our team can help you fully customize screening packages to meet your requirements for any position and comply with relevant laws and industry regulations. To learn more about what we can do for you, please contact us.

The team at Backgrounds Online believes in providing an unparalleled level of service. Each member of our team undergoes comprehensive trainings and must earn a certification that demonstrates they have a strong knowledge of federal laws that govern the screening industry. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.