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This Week Online at www.DATIA.org

November 3, 2005

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DOT Issues Proposal for Mandatory Specimen Validity Testing

This week, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) focusing on making specimen validity testing (SVT) mandatory. These proposed changes are intended to create consistency with the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) SVT requirements published late last year.

The NPRM also includes several recommended changes for MROs and laboratories.

Click here to read a summary of the proposed changes.

DOT is accepting public comments on the proposal through December 30, 2005. DATIA will be working with our board of directors and legislative-regulatory committee to submit comments on behalf of the industry. Members are encouraged to submit individual comments as well; instructions can be found in the Federal Register notice.

Question & Answer From DATIA's Forum:

Question: The DATIA Online Directory doesn't come up with an MRO within 10 miles of my zip code. How can I find an MRO to help me?

Answer: An MRO does not need to be in your zip code, your town, or even your state in order to review drug test results. Part 40 states that licensed physicians who have the required credentials and complete the required qualification training are authorized to perform MRO services with respect to all covered employees, wherever they are located. Therefore, an MRO licensed in one state or province in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada is not limited to performing MRO functions in that state or province.