LegalFix

§ 71-7-15. Confidentiality of information related to drug and alcohol testing; discharge or discipline of employee for refusal to consent to authorized release of information

MS Code § 71-7-15 (2019) (N/A)
Copy with citation
Copy as parenthetical citation

(1) All information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda and test results, written or otherwise, received by the employer through its drug and alcohol testing program are confidential communications and may not be used or received in evidence, obtained in discovery, or disclosed in any public or private proceedings, except in accordance with this chapter.

(2) Any information obtained by an employer pursuant to this chapter shall be the property of the employer.

(3) An employer shall not release to any person other than the employee or job applicant, or employer medical, supervisory or other personnel, as designated by the employer on a need to know basis, information related to drug and alcohol test results unless:

(a) The employee or job applicant has expressly, in writing, granted permission for the employer to release such information;

(b) It is necessary to introduce a positive confirmed test result into an arbitration proceeding pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, an administrative hearing under applicable state or local law, or a judicial proceeding, provided that information is relevant to the hearing or proceeding, or the information must be disclosed to a federal or state agency or other unit of the state or United States government as required under law, regulation or order, or in accordance with compliance requirements of a state or federal government contract, or disclosed to a drug abuse rehabilitation program for the purpose of evaluation or treatment of an employee; or

(c) There is a risk to public health or safety that can be minimized or prevented by the release of such information; provided, however, that unless such risk is immediate, a court order permitting the release shall be obtained prior to the release of the information.

(4) The confidentiality provisions provided for in this section shall not apply to other parts of an employee’s or job applicant’s personnel or medical files.

(5) If an employee refuses to sign a written consent form for release of information to persons as permitted in this chapter, the employer shall not be barred from discharging or disciplining the employee.

LegalFix

Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.

LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.

The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.

You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.

The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.

Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

We have updated our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures.
§ 71-7-15. Confidentiality of information related to drug and alcohol testing; discharge or discipline of employee for refusal to consent to authorized release of information