Pilot program on modernization of drug testing using voice-based risk assessment

(a) Pilot program required The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program at not more than five military installations, representing a combined total of not less than 40,000 and not more than 50,000 active-duty members of the Armed Forces, to evaluate the use of voice-based risk assessment technology to support targeted drug testing. (b) Purpose The purpose of the pilot program is to determine whether automated voice-based screening tools can improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and operational readiness of the Department of Defense’s drug testing programs by enabling risk-informed testing in place of universal urinalysis. (c) Program elements The pilot program shall— (1) integrate voice-based automated screening technology capable of producing real-time, individualized risk assessments from simple yes/no questions; (2) be executed as part of the Drug Demand Reduction Program of the Department of Defense; (3) assess impacts on testing volume, cost savings, personnel time, and operational readiness; (4) be conducted in a manner that protects individual privacy and complies with applicable law, Department policy, and applicable protections under section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act of 1974); and (5) only be conducted if the proposed voice-based automated screening technology or any other proposed screening technology is scientifically validated, peer-reviewed, and legally defensible as defined by the Secretary of Defense. (d) Termination The Secretary of Defense shall determine when to terminate the pilot program established under this section.