(ii)__For employees with 2 to 5 full years of service prior to the confirmed positive test, 1/2 of the cost up to $500;

(iii)__For employees with 6 to 15 full years of service prior to the confirmed positive test, 1/2 of the cost up to $1,000; and

(iv)__For employees with over 15 full years of service prior to the confirmed positive test, 1/2 of the cost up to $2,000.

This requirement does not apply to municipalities or other political subdivisions of the State or to any employer when the employee is tested because of the alcohol and controlled substance testing mandated by the federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, Public Law 102-143, Title V.__If necessary, the employer shall assist in financing the cost share of the employee through a payroll deduction plan.

(b) Except to the extent that costs are covered by a group health insurance plan, an employer with 20 or fewer full-time employees, a municipality or other political subdivision of the State is not required to pay for any costs of rehabilitation or treatment under any public or private rehabilitation program. An employer is not required to pay for the costs of rehabilitation if the employee was tested because of the alcohol and controlled substance testing mandated by the federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, Public Law 102-143, Title V.

(2) No An employer may not take any action described in paragraph A while an employee is participating in a rehabilitation program, except as provided in subparagraph (2-A) and except that an employer may change the employee's work assignment or suspend the employee from active duty to reduce any possible safety hazard. Except as provided in subparagraph (2- A), an employee's pay or benefits may not be reduced while an employee is participating in a rehabilitation program,