[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR219.403]

[Page 218-219]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 219--CONTROL OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE--Table of Contents
 
             Subpart E--Identification of Troubled Employees
 
Sec. 219.403  Voluntary referral policy.

    (a) Scope. This section prescribes minimum standards for voluntary 
referral policies. Nothing in this section restricts a railroad from 
adopting, publishing and implementing a voluntary referral policy that 
affords more favorable conditions to employees troubled by alcohol or 
drug abuse problems, consistent with the railroad's responsibility to 
prevent violations of Secs. 219.101 and 219.102.
    (b) Required provisions. A voluntary referral policy must include 
the following provisions:
    (1) A covered employee who is affected by an alcohol or drug use 
problem may maintain an employment relationship with the railroad if, 
before the employee is charged with conduct deemed by the railroad 
sufficient to warrant dismissal, the employee seeks assistance through 
the railroad for the employee's alcohol or drug use problem or is 
referred for such assistance by another employee or by a representative 
of the employee's collective bargaining unit. The railroad must specify 
whether, and under what circumstances, its policy provides for the 
acceptance of referrals from other sources, including (at the option of 
the railroad) supervisory employees.
    (2) Except as may be provided under paragraph (c) of this section, 
the railroad treats the referral and subsequent handling, including 
counseling and treatment, as confidential.
    (3) The railroad will, to the extent necessary for treatment and 
rehabilitation, grant the employee a leave of absence from the railroad 
for the period necessary to complete primary treatment and establish 
control over the employee's alcohol or drug problem. The policy must 
allow a leave of absence of not less than 45 days, if necessary for the 
purpose of meeting initial treatment needs.
    (4) Except as may be provided under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, the employee will be returned to service on the recommendation 
of the substance abuse professional. Approval to return to service may 
not be unreasonably withheld.
    (5) With respect to a certified locomotive engineer or a candidate 
for certification, the railroad must meet the requirements of 
Sec. 240.119(e) of this chapter.
    (c) Optional provisions. A voluntary referral policy may include any 
of the following provisions, at the option of the railroad:
    (1) The policy may provide that the rule of confidentiality is 
waived if--
    (i) The employee at any time refuses to cooperate in a recommended 
course of counseling or treatment; and/or
    (ii) The employee is later determined, after investigation, to have 
been involved in an alcohol or drug-related disciplinary offense growing 
out of subsequent conduct.
    (2) The policy may require successful completion of a return-to-
service medical examination as a further condition on reinstatement in 
covered service.
    (3) The policy may provide that it does not apply to an employee who 
has previously been assisted by the railroad under a policy or program 
substantially consistent with this section or who has previously elected 
to waive investigation under Sec. 219.405 (co-worker report policy).

[[Page 219]]

    (4) The policy may provide that, in order to invoke its benefits, 
the employee must report to the contact designated by the railroad 
either:
    (i) During non-duty hours (i.e., at a time when the employee is off 
duty); or
    (ii) While unimpaired and otherwise in compliance with the 
railroad's alcohol and drug rules consistent with this subpart.