Bill Overview
Title: Heidi’s Law
Description: This bill revises the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs to include testing for methadone and newly identified drug substances. The Department of Health and Human Services must revise the guidelines to (1) expand the opiate category on the list of substances authorized for testing to include methadone, and (2) add any new drugs which may not have been previously included on such list. The Department of Transportation must update its regulations containing procedures for transportation employee workplace drug and alcohol testing programs to include testing for methadone and newly identified drug substances.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals subject to federal workplace drug testing
Estimated Size: 25000000
- The bill focuses on federal workplace drug testing programs.
- All federal employees are subject to federal workplace drug testing guidelines.
- The transportation sector is specifically mentioned, indicating transportation employees will be impacted.
- Methadone will be added to the opiate category for testing, affecting individuals using this medication.
- Individuals using newly identified drug substances will also be impacted by this bill.
Reasoning
- The policy targets federal employees subject to workplace drug testing programs, a significant population segment in the U.S.
- Specific emphasis on transportation employees means a notable focus within this population.
- Methadone and newly identified drugs' inclusion will impact individuals currently using these substances, including those in opioid replacement therapy.
- A budget of $50 million in year one suggests a broad but not unlimited reach, implying the policy's direct impact may be relatively high in particular sub-demographics but moderate in others.
- Estimating wellbeing requires considering both direct impacts (e.g., job security for those who may face disciplinary action due to testing) and broader impacts (e.g., increased safety, perceived fairness in the workplace).
Simulated Interviews
Train Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for safety in workplaces, especially in transportation.
- The inclusion of methadone in testing worries me about job security despite following my prescribed treatment plan.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Federal Employee - Administrative Assistant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned that this policy will mean I need to quit using recreational drugs or face potential job issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Pipeline Operator (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't affect me directly, but I support efforts to maintain safety in our industry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about my medical marijuana use being flagged and how this policy might impact my job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Policy Maker (Washington, DC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy strengthens our commitment to a safe workplace.
- However, I am aware of the medical nuances related to methadone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Airline Pilot Trainee (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for stringent testing, especially in my field, but I worry about false positives affecting my career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Maritime Safety Inspector (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support this policy because it ensures workplace safety, even if not a concern for my own position.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Long-haul Truck Driver (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I adhere to my treatment plan, but I'm frightened this policy may unjustly put my job at risk.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Federal Researcher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This step adds valuable safety but should be balanced with understanding addiction recovery treatment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
IT Support for Federal Network (Boston, MA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems strict but necessary for federal employees and public safety. I'm mindful about my recreational habits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $50000000)
Year 3: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $50000000)
Year 5: $37000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $52000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $55000000)
Year 100: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $55000000)
Key Considerations
- The primary cost is associated with expanding testing capabilities to include methadone and new substances.
- Training and procedural updates are needed for successful implementation.
- Potential indirect benefits in workplace safety and productivity, but these aren't easily quantifiable in direct fiscal terms.
- Monitoring and compliance mechanisms need to be strengthened to ensure policy effectiveness.