Heidi’s Law

Key Points

• This bill requires the government to add methadone to the list of drugs that federal workplaces must test for. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has 90 days after the bill becomes law to make this change.
• The Department of Transportation must also update its drug testing rules within 60 days of the HHS changes. This means workers in safety-sensitive transportation jobs like truck drivers, pilots, and bus operators would be tested for methadone during regular drug screenings.
• The bill also sets up an annual review process. Every year, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must look at the drug testing list and add any new drugs that should be included, keeping the testing standards current.
• When HHS adds new drugs through the annual review, the Department of Transportation must follow suit within 60 days, keeping transportation drug testing in sync with federal guidelines.
• The bill is named "Heidi's Law," suggesting it was inspired by a specific incident likely involving methadone impairment in a safety-sensitive setting. It was introduced by Rep. Smith of New Jersey and referred to two House committees.