Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 5139 – Drug testing required
(a) Preemployment testing. — The Department shall not hire or employ an applicant for any position at the Delaware Psychiatric Center without first obtaining the results of such applicant’s mandatory drug screening.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 5139
- Department: means the Department of Health and Social Services except that Department means the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families in the context of a treatment facility serving minors. See Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 5181
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Patient: means any individual receiving involuntary or voluntary care, supportive lodging, treatment or other mental health provider services from a facility. See Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 5181
(b) Reasonable suspicion testing. — The Department, acting through its supervisory personnel, may also conduct a drug test based on a reasonable suspicion that a Delaware Psychiatric Center employee is impaired by an illegal drug.
(c) Any person applying for employment with the Department in a position at the Delaware Psychiatric Center shall be required to submit to mandatory drug screening pursuant to this section and the regulations promulgated by the Department. Such regulations shall require drug testing for the following controlled substances:
(1) Marijuana/cannabis;
(2) Cocaine;
(3) Opiates;
(4) Phencyclidine (“PCP”);
(5) Amphetamines;
(6) Any other controlled substances specified by the Department in the regulations promulgated pursuant to this subchapter.
(d) Conditional hire. — Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, whenever exigent circumstances exist, and the Department must fill a position in order to maintain an appropriate level of patient care, the Department may hire an applicant on a conditional basis when the Department receives evidence that the applicant has actually had the appropriate drug screening. The final employment of any applicant conditionally hired pursuant to this subsection shall be contingent upon receipt of the results of the drug screening. In addition, all applicants conditionally hired pursuant to § 5138 of this title shall be informed and acknowledge in writing that the results of those applicants’ drug screens have been requested. Under no circumstances shall an applicant hired on a conditional basis pursuant to this subchapter remain employed on a conditional basis for more than 2 months.
(e) Any applicant who wilfully fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000.
(f) The Department shall adopt policies and procedures for imposing sanctions, which may include suspension and termination, upon any Delaware Psychiatric Center employee whose drug screen indicates that such employee has consumed an illegal drug or drugs. However, no such employee shall be sanctioned when the person has used or consumed the drug or drugs detected according to the directions and terms of a lawfully obtained prescription for such drug or drugs.
77 Del. Laws, c. 292, § ?1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § ?1; 78 Del. Laws, c. 303, § ?4;