Workplace Drug Testing Law
VT Drug Testing Law
Employees · Health
Sharply limits workplace drug testing in Vermont. Applicants may be tested only after a conditional job offer and written notice. Employees may be tested only on probable cause and when a rehabilitation program is available, and random or company-wide testing is banned unless federal law requires it. Test results and related health information must be kept confidential.
- Where
- Vermont
- Citation
- 21 V.S.A. §§ 511-520
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 1987-09-01
- Enforced by
- Courts (private actions); State civil and criminal enforcement
- People can sue
- Yes
- Penalties
- Aggrieved applicants or employees may sue for injunctive relief, damages, costs and attorney's fees, with the employer bearing the burden of proving compliance. Violators face State civil penalties of $500 to $2,000; knowing violations carry a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to six months in prison, or both (§ 519).
- Applies to
- Employers and employment agencies testing applicants or employees
- Medical review officers and laboratories handling test results
Practices it requires
- Test applicants only after a conditional offer of employment and written, non-waivable notice of the procedure and drugs tested.21 V.S.A. § 512(b)
- Do not conduct random or company-wide drug tests unless federal law requires them; test individual employees only on probable cause with a rehabilitation program available.21 V.S.A. § 513(b)-(c)
Security duties
- Keep drug test results and related health information confidential; release them only with the tested person's voluntary written consent or as compelled in an action under the subchapter.21 V.S.A. § 516
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: The latest amendment dates for §§ 511-520 were not all checked (§ 516 was amended by 2015 Acts No. 23, effective date not confirmed).
Research reference, not legal advice.