Bill > SB439

This bill prohibits employers from taking discriminatory actions against fire and rescue public safety employees based on their use of medical cannabis, provided the employee has a valid written certification from a certifying provider (a licensed medical professional authorized to recommend medical cannabis) and is not impaired while on duty. The bill defines "fire and rescue public safety employee" to include firefighters, emergency medical technicians, cardiac rescue technicians, and paramedics. Importantly, employers are still permitted to enforce policies against employees performing their duties while impaired by cannabis or using cannabis while on duty, and they must report any instances of an employee reporting for work impaired by cannabis to the State Emergency Medical Services Board. This legislation aims to balance the rights of medical cannabis users with the critical safety responsibilities of public safety personnel.