H-3513.2

HOUSE BILL 2740

ByRepresentatives Kloba, Macri, Stonier, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Lekanoff, and Tharinger

AN ACT Relating to the employment of individuals who lawfully consume marijuana; amending RCW 69.51A.060; and adding a new section to chapter 49.44 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 49.44 RCW to read as follows:

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law:

(1) It is unlawful for any employer in this state to fail or refuse to hire a prospective employee because the prospective employee submitted to a screening test and the results of the screening test indicate the presence of marijuana.

(2)(a) The provisions in subsection (1) of this section do not apply if the prospective employee is applying for a position:

(i) As a firefighter, as defined in chapter 41.26 or 41.24 RCW;

(ii) As an emergency medical technician, as defined in RCW 18.73.030; or

(iii) That requires an employee to operate a motor vehicle and for which federal or state law requires the employee to submit to screening tests;

(b) The provisions in this section do not apply if compliance with subsection (1) of this section would cause an employer to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law.

(3) If an employer requires an employee to submit to a screening test within the first thirty days of employment, the employee may submit to an additional screening test, at his or her own expense, to rebut the results of the initial screening test. The employer shall accept and give appropriate consideration to the results of such a screening test.

(4) The provisions of this section do not apply:

(a) To the extent that they are inconsistent or otherwise in conflict with the provisions of an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement;

(b) To the extent that they are inconsistent or otherwise in conflict with the provisions of federal law;

(c) To a position of employment funded by a federal grant.

(5) For the purposes of this section, "screening test" means a test of a person's blood, urine, hair, or saliva to detect the general presence of a controlled substance or any other drug.

Sec. 2. RCW 69.51A.060 and 2019 c 204 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) It shall be a class 3 civil infraction to use or display medical marijuana in a manner or place which is open to the view of the general public.

(2) Nothing in this chapter establishes a right of care as a covered benefit or requires any state purchased health care as defined in RCW 41.05.011 or other health carrier or health plan as defined in Title 48 RCW to be liable for any claim for reimbursement for the medical use of marijuana. Such entities may enact coverage or noncoverage criteria or related policies for payment or nonpayment of medical marijuana in their sole discretion.

(3) Nothing in this chapter requires any health care professional to authorize the medical use of marijuana for a patient.

(4) Nothing in this chapter requires any accommodation of any on-site medical use of marijuana in any place of employment, in any youth center, in any correctional facility, or smoking marijuana in any public place or hotel or motel.

(5) Nothing in this chapter authorizes the possession or use of marijuana, marijuana concentrates, useable marijuana, or marijuana-infused products on federal property.

(6) Nothing in this chapter authorizes the use of medical marijuana by any person who is subject to the Washington code of military justice in chapter 38.38 RCW.

(7) Employers may establish drug-free work policies. Nothing in this chapter requires an accommodation for the medical use of marijuana if an employer ((has))is required to have a drug-free workplace policy to comply with a requirement external to the employer, including to remain in compliance with a federal contract.

(8) No person shall be entitled to claim the protection from arrest and prosecution under RCW 69.51A.040 or the affirmative defense under RCW 69.51A.043 for engaging in the medical use of marijuana in a way that endangers the health or well-being of any person through the use of a motorized vehicle on a street, road, or highway, including violations of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or equivalent local ordinances.

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