Overview

This bill allows for mandatory drug and substance testing of residents in approved premises (like halfway houses) in England and Wales. The testing aims to improve safety and rehabilitation within these facilities, with results used to inform substance abuse prevalence and inform policy decisions. The Secretary of State will issue guidance on how to conduct testing.

Description

The bill amends the Offender Management Act 2007 to permit substance testing in approved premises. A manager of such premises can authorize staff to require residents to provide urine samples to test for controlled drugs, prescription-only medicines, and psychoactive substances. Other non-intimate samples may be requested. The Secretary of State can use anonymized test results to assess the prevalence of these substances. Guidance from the Secretary of State will determine how the authorisation and testing are carried out. The bill defines key terms including "controlled drug", "intimate sample", and "psychoactive substance", referencing relevant existing legislation. The Secretary of State retains the power to make further amendments to this section as needed.

Government Spending

The bill does not include specific figures for government spending. The costs will likely involve the implementation of testing procedures within approved premises and the analysis of collected data.

Groups Affected

Groups affected include:

• Residents of approved premises: They will be subject to mandatory substance testing under certain conditions.
• Staff at approved premises: They will be responsible for administering the tests.
• Approved premises managers: They will be responsible for authorizing testing within their facilities.
• The Secretary of State: They will issue guidance and oversee the implementation of the testing program.

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