(a)

(1) The penalty for an Arkansas employer who knowingly fails to check the Commercial Driver Alcohol and Drug Testing Database as required under this subchapter is one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(2) The penalty described in subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall be assessed beginning July 1, 2008.

(b)

(1) Except as provided under subdivision (b)(2) of this section, the penalty for an Arkansas employer who knowingly hires an employee with a record of a positive alcohol or drug test in the database is five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(2) This subsection does not apply to an employee who has completed a treatment program or an education program prescribed by a substance abuse professional and who has been found eligible to return to duty by the employer as provided under 49 C.F.R. §§ 40.281 -- 40.313, as in effect on January 1, 2009.

(c) The penalty for an Arkansas employer who knowingly fails to report an occurrence regarding an alcohol or drug screening test as required under § 27-23-205(a) or § 27-23-205(b) is five hundred dollars ($500).

(d)

(1) The penalty for a consortium/third-party administrator who knowingly fails to report an occurrence regarding a drug or alcohol test result as required under § 27-23-205(c) or § 27-23-205(d) is five hundred dollars ($500).

(2) If the consortium/third-party administrator is out of state, the penalty under subdivision (d)(1) of this section shall be extended to the Arkansas employer that contracted with the consortium/third-party administrator.

(e) The penalties under this section do not apply to the State of Arkansas, an agency of the state, or a political subdivision of the state.

(f) Moneys collected under this section are special revenues and shall be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund.