Bill Text: TX HB3349 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to certain drug tests administered to employees and independent contractors of state agencies and political subdivisions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-18 - Left pending in committee [HB3349 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB3349-Introduced.html
  86R7947 YDB-D
 
  By: Bucy H.B. No. 3349
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain drug tests administered to employees and
  independent contractors of state agencies and political
  subdivisions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 620 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 620. DRUG TESTING
         Sec. 620.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Drug test" means a technical analysis of an
  individual's biological specimen to determine the presence or
  absence of specified drugs or metabolites.
               (2)  "Peace officer" means a person elected, employed,
  or appointed as a peace officer under Article 2.12, Code of Criminal
  Procedure.
         Sec. 620.002.  EXCEPTION. This chapter does not apply to a
  peace officer who is elected, employed, or appointed by a state
  agency or political subdivision of this state.
         Sec. 620.003.  PROHIBITED DRUG TESTING. A state agency or a
  political subdivision of this state may not:
               (1)  establish a drug testing policy that requires an
  employee or independent contractor of the agency or political
  subdivision as a condition of employment or contract to submit to a
  drug test the intent of which is to screen for the presence of
  tetrahydrocannabinols or cannabidiol indicating the use of
  marihuana or low-THC cannabis;
               (2)  administer or require the administration to the
  employee or contractor as a condition of employment or contract of a
  drug test the intent of which is to screen for the presence of
  tetrahydrocannabinols or cannabidiol indicating the use of
  marihuana or low-THC cannabis; or
               (3)  establish for the employee or contractor as a
  condition of employment or contract a test result that is negative
  for the presence of tetrahydrocannabinols or cannabidiol.
         Sec. 620.004.  RELIEF AVAILABLE. (a) A person may assert an
  actual or threatened violation of Section 620.003 as a claim or
  defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding and obtain:
               (1)  compensatory damages;
               (2)  injunctive relief;
               (3)  declaratory relief; and
               (4)  other appropriate relief, including reasonable
  attorney's fees.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, a person may commence an
  action under this section and relief may be granted regardless of
  whether the person has sought or exhausted available administrative
  remedies.
         Sec. 620.005.  IMMUNITY WAIVED. A person who alleges a
  violation of Section 620.003 may sue the governmental entity for
  the relief provided under Section 620.004. Sovereign or
  governmental immunity, as applicable, is waived and abolished to
  the extent of liability for that relief.
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  the administration of a drug testing policy or a drug test on or
  after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
feedback