(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.
(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.
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