2020 -- H 7878

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LC004723

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C.

SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Quattrocchi, Filippi, Nardone, Place, and Price

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2020

     Referred To: House Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 21-28.6 of the General Laws entitled "The Edward O. Hawkins and

Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following

section:

     21-28.6-4.1. Non-discrimination.

     (a) All departments and units of Rhode Island state government, including all public and

quasi-public agencies, commissions, boards and authorities are prohibited from refusing to hire or

promote or render any punishment or decision in regards to any person exclusively for their use of

medical marijuana or their status as a registered patient cardholder.

     (b) All departments and units of Rhode Island state government, including all public and

quasi-public agencies, commissions, boards and authorities are required to reasonably

accommodate any employee's or prospective employee's medical marijuana use.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004723

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C.

SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT

***

     This act would prohibit employment discrimination by the state of Rhode Island against

medical marijuana users. The act would also require reasonable accommodations be provided by

the state employer.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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