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This Week Online at www.DATIA.org

April 21, 2005

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PHMSA Asks for Public Comment on Drug and Alcohol Reporting for Contractor Employees

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA, formerly RSPA) published a notice in today’s Federal Register that the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) will be issuing an Advisory Bulletin in the near future regarding an employer’s reporting of drug and alcohol testing data for contractor employees performing covered functions.

This does not constitute a regulation change because these employees are already required to be tested and reported, but the Advisory Bulletin will suggest a method of reporting that minimizes duplication. Since this reported data is the basis for the random rate for the entire industry, avoiding duplication is important.

PHMSA asks for public comment on methods of collecting contractor data. Click here to read the full Federal Register notice.

OSDFS Asks for Public Comment on Proposed Requirements, Priorities, and Selection Criteria for Student Drug Testing Grants

The Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) has issued proposed eligibility and application requirements, priorities, and selection criteria to assist in the awarding of grants for school-based student drug testing programs in 2005. The purpose of this proposal is to encourage schools and communities to implement student drug testing policies in effort to deter drug use amongst students.

Please review the proposed requirements, priorities, and criteria in today's Federal Register at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-8039.htm.

The OSDFS invites your comments on this proposal until May 23, 2005.

DATIA Annual Conference To Provide Timely Education to Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry

DATIA has just announced the addition of a new session to its 10th Anniversary and Annual Conference agenda. On Friday, May 13th, at 3:30 PM, Tim Dowd, vice president of marketing at ChoicePoint, will share first hand ChoicePoint's experiences as they lead the way in handling privacy and identity theft issues in the industry. Attendees will leave the session with an understanding of this rapidly changing industry and knowledge about the latest developments in drug and alcohol testing and background check solutions.

Read a recent press release issued by DATIA to learn more about the speaker presentations and to read what Florida's Governor, Jeb Bush, had to say about DATIA's 10th Anniversary and Annual Conference.

Question & Answer From DATIA's Forum:

Question: I am extremely interested in attending DATIA's MRO Assistant Training Course, but I see that it is sold out on May 12 and 15, 2005. Will DATIA have additional training courses throughout the year?

Answer: Yes, the MRO Assistant Training course will be held in conjunction with DATIA's other training courses for the remainder of 2005. Please take a look at the Excelling as an MRO Assistant brochure to see a full schedule of dates and locations.

Mark Your Calendar