---
title: O.C.G.A. § 25-4-11.1. Random testing for illegal drug usage by qualified firefighters.
collection: code
id: 25-4-11.1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 25-4-11.1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-4-11.1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-4-11.1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-4-11.1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t24-t26-(v21)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=5423edd_0#page=108
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: FIRE PROTECTION AND SAFETY / FIREFIGHTER STANDARDS AND TRAINING
---

# O.C.G.A. § 25-4-11.1. Random testing for illegal drug usage by qualified firefighters.

(a) All firefighters qualified based upon successful completion of training set forth in subparagraph (a)(2)(A) of Code Section 25-4-8 shall be subject to random testing for evidence of use of illegal drugs. Such testing shall occur at least biannually for the first two years of licensure or certification. Such testing shall be noninvasive and may be conducted at any time during the calendar year, and the cost of all such testing shall be borne by the employer. If the drug test shows the presence of drugs in the firefighter’s system, the results of the test will be confirmed with an alternative method by using the same urine sample.

(b) The council shall adopt rules and regulations for purposes of testing and retesting for illegal drugs, including:

(1) Which illegal drugs will be the subject of testing;

(2) Methods for ensuring minimal privacy intrusions during collection of body fluid specimens for such testing;

(3) Methods for ensuring proper storage, transportation, and handling of such specimens in order to maintain the integrity of the testing process;

(4) Which persons should be entitled to the results of such tests and which methods should be used for ensuring that only authorized persons are given access to such results;

(5) A list of laboratories qualified to conduct established drug tests; and

(6) Procedures through which firefighters, prior to the collection of body fluid specimens for such testing, may provide information to their employers regarding use of any drug pursuant to a medical prescription or, as otherwise authorized by law, any substance which could affect the results of such test.

(c) Any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this Code section shall be in compliance with Parts 40 and 382 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

## History

Code 1981, § 25-4-11.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2021, p. 782, § 2/SB 46.

## Effective Date

This Code section became effective May 10, 2021.