Bill > S98

This bill seeks to protect employees from discrimination based on legal cannabis use by adding new provisions to Massachusetts employment law. The bill defines a "safety sensitive position" as a job where impairment could potentially cause immediate and permanent physical injury or loss of life. Under the proposed legislation, employers would be prohibited from refusing to hire, firing, or discriminating against an employee solely because of the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or marijuana metabolites in their body samples. The protection applies unless there is reasonable suspicion that the employee was impaired at work. Employers can still take action if the employee cannot maintain necessary licenses or credentials due to cannabis use, and the protections do not apply to safety sensitive positions or situations where compliance would violate federal law, regulations, contracts, or funding agreements. Essentially, the bill aims to prevent employers from penalizing employees for legal cannabis use outside of work hours, while still maintaining workplace safety and regulatory compliance.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S98