Bill > S0142

This bill creates the Medical Marijuana Public Employee Protection Act, which provides legal safeguards for public employees who are qualified medical marijuana patients. The legislation prohibits public employers from taking adverse personnel actions (such as firing, demoting, or refusing to hire) against employees or job applicants solely based on their legal medical marijuana use. Employers can only take action if they can prove the medical marijuana use impairs the employee's job performance, which must be demonstrated through specific, observable symptoms that negatively affect work duties. The bill requires employers with drug testing policies to provide written notice to employees who test positive for marijuana, giving them an opportunity to explain the test result or request a confirmation test. Employees can submit their medical marijuana certification or registry identification card as part of their explanation. If an employer takes inappropriate action against a qualified medical marijuana patient, the employee can file a civil lawsuit within 180 days, potentially receiving remedies like reinstatement, lost wages, and attorney fees. The bill includes important exceptions, such as not requiring employers to violate federal law or commit to accommodations that would create undue hardship, and specifically allows law enforcement agencies to maintain stricter policies prohibiting medical marijuana use by their employees.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/142