Overview

This bill allows for the mandatory drug and substance testing of residents in approved premises (e.g., hostels for offenders). It amends the Offender Management Act 2007 to grant staff the power to require urine samples, with provisions for anonymized data collection for prevalence studies.

Description

Key Provisions

The bill adds a new section (13A) to the Offender Management Act 2007, enabling staff at approved premises to require residents to provide urine samples for substance testing. This includes controlled drugs, prescription-only medicines, and psychoactive substances. Other non-intimate samples may also be requested. The premises manager must authorize testing, considering guidance from the Secretary of State. Staff must also adhere to Secretary of State guidance when conducting tests. The Secretary of State can use anonymized data from these tests to study substance prevalence within approved premises. The bill also allows for future regulatory changes to adapt to changes in relevant legislation.

Geographic Scope and Commencement

The Act applies to England and Wales only. The commencement date will be determined by the Secretary of State.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. However, there will be costs associated with implementing the new testing regime, including training staff, procuring testing equipment, and analyzing data. The precise cost is not detailed in the bill text provided.

Groups Affected

• Residents of approved premises: They will be subject to mandatory substance testing, potentially impacting their privacy and autonomy.
• Staff at approved premises: They will be responsible for carrying out the testing and will require training and potentially additional resources.
• The Secretary of State: Responsible for issuing guidance and potentially making regulatory changes related to the implementation and ongoing management of the scheme.
• Researchers and Public Health Officials: May benefit from access to anonymized data about substance use patterns in approved premises.

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