Bill Text: HI SB64 | 2021 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Medical Cannabis.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-19 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC. [SB64 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2021-SB64-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
64 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that the ongoing conflict between state and federal medical cannabis laws causes confusion for employers, who are unsure whether state medical cannabis laws supersede their power to enforce drug-free workplace policies against employees. The courts have consistently ruled in favor of employers when qualifying patients challenge drug-free workplace policies; yet, on the other hand, they have not entirely foreclosed the possibility that state medical cannabis laws might operate to protect qualifying patients against employment discrimination. Without explicit statutory guidance, the courts may not properly balance the needs of qualifying patients for employment protections and an employer's need to provide a safe workplace.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Prohibit an employer from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based on the person's status as a medical cannabis cardholder, under certain conditions;
(2) Specify that an employer may use a fit-for-duty test for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations; and
(3) Specify certain categories of employment that are exempt from the protections of this Act.
SECTION 2. Section 329-125.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§329-125.5 Medical cannabis patient and caregiver protections. (a) No school shall refuse to enroll or otherwise penalize, and no landlord shall refuse to lease property to or otherwise penalize, a person solely for the person's status as a qualifying patient or primary caregiver in the medical cannabis program under this part, unless failing to do so would cause the school or landlord to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or regulation; provided that the qualifying patient or primary caregiver strictly complied with the requirements of this part; provided further that the qualifying patient or primary caregiver shall present a medical cannabis registry card or certificate and photo identification, to ensure that the qualifying patient or primary caregiver is validly registered with the department of health pursuant to section 329-123.
(b) For the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a registered qualifying patient's use of cannabis in compliance with this part shall be considered the equivalent of the use of any other medication under the direction of a physician and shall not constitute the use of an illicit substance or otherwise disqualify a registered qualifying patient from medical care.
(c) Unless a failure to do so would cause the
employer to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under a contract or federal
law, no employer shall refuse to hire or employ or bar or discharge from employment
or otherwise discriminate against a person in any term or condition of
employment other than as provided in a collective bargaining agreement based on:
(1) The person's status
as a medical cannabis cardholder; or
(2) A registered
qualifying patient's positive drug test for cannabis components or metabolites,
unless the registered qualifying patient was impaired by cannabis during the
hours of employment;
provided that nothing in this subsection shall affect
existing rights of an employer to require an employee to undergo a medical
evaluation when the employer has safety concerns about an impairment of the
employee; provided further that an employer may take adverse action against or
discipline an employee who uses or possesses medical cannabis in the workplace
and is impaired.
(d) In a potentially dangerous occupation, an
employer may use a fit-for-duty test as a risk-based assessment tool for a registered
qualifying patient.
(e) Subsection (c) shall not apply to:
(1) Law enforcement
officers in the State or counties or employees of a state correctional
facility;
(2) Firefighters
employed by the State or counties;
(3) Water safety
officers, lifeguards, swimming instructors, or other employees of the State or counties
responsible for the safety of the public at swimming pools or on beaches;
(4) Employees
authorized to carry or use firearms on the job;
(5) Emergency
medical services employees of the State or counties;
(6) Employees who are
authorized to administer controlled substances or other medication or drugs to individuals,
whether in hospitals, nursing homes, or in emergency situations that may require
attention of emergency medical services personnel;
(7) Employees who
work with children, the elderly, or other vulnerable persons;
(8) Civil defense
emergency management personnel; and
(9) Employees who
operate or are in physical control of:
(A) Any
combination of vehicles that have a gross combination weight rating or gross
combination weight of 11,794 kilograms (26,001 pounds) or more, whichever is
greater, inclusive of a towed unit or units with a gross vehicle weight rating
or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), whichever
is greater;
(B) Any
single vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight
of 11,794 kilograms (26,001 pounds) or more, or any such vehicle towing a
vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not
exceed 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds);
(C) Any
single vehicle or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definitions
of class A or class B, but is either designed to transport sixteen or more
passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been
designated as hazardous under title 49 U.S.C. section 5103 and is required
to be placarded under subpart F of title 49 C.F.R. part 172, or is transporting
any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in title 42 C.F.R.
part 73; and
(D) Public
utilities, such as the electrical power grid or water source.
[(c)] (f) No qualifying patient or primary caregiver
under this part shall be denied custody of, visitation with, or parenting time
with a minor, and there shall be no presumption of neglect or child
endangerment, for conduct allowed under this part; provided that this subsection
shall not apply if the qualifying patient's or primary caregiver's conduct
created a danger to the safety of the minor, as established by a preponderance
of the evidence.
[(d)] (g) This section shall apply to qualifying
patients, primary caregivers, qualifying out-of-state patients, and caregivers of
qualifying out-of-state patients who are validly registered with the department
of health pursuant to this part and the administrative rules of the department
of health."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Medical Cannabis; Discrimination; Employer; Employee
Description:
Prohibits an employer from discriminating against a person based on the person's status as a medical cannabis cardholder or a registered qualifying patients' positive test result for cannabis, under certain conditions. Specifies that an employer may use a fit-for-duty test as a tool for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations. Exempts certain occupations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
