• From: Los Angeles, CA
  • Registered: 2007-05-25
  • Posts: 605

Topic: AB 2279 approved by Senate committee

The CA Senate Judiciary Committee approved ASA-sponsored legislation by Assemblymember Mark Leno that will protect medical cannabis patients from workplace discrimination. The approval came at the end of a marathon committee meeting that started at 10:30 AM and lasted into the evening. Numerous organizations joined ASA Attorney Joe Elford and ASA Sacramento Coordinator Lanette Davies in supporting the bill. The California Labor Federation, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), SF AIDS Foundation, and the ACLU all sent representatives to the hearing.

The committee made three amendments to the bill. One technical amendment changed the word "person" to "employee" for consistency's sake. Another more significant amendment removed language that extended workplace protections to Primary Caregivers. Assemblymember Leno and his staff worked hard behind the scenes and in the hearing to prevent this amendment, but the Committee Chairperson was not convinced there was a need for the protection offered by the language. A final amendment sought to clarify what kind of damages could be sought in a wrongful termination case brought under the bill.

The Senate Judiciary Committee was the last stopping point for the bill before heading the the Senate floor for final approval, which is expected after the Legislature returns from their summer break in August.

Read more about AB 2279 at http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/AB2279

dondduncan's Website

  • Registered: 2007-09-11
  • Posts: 1,268

Re: AB 2279 approved by Senate committee

Great! smile

  • Registered: 2008-07-11
  • Posts: 7

Re: AB 2279 approved by Senate committee

The most up to date of the moment site...

Way to go....  I joined

I'm in a major drama at my job with this..

I'm one who is directly effected.

I specifically ponder the aspect of safety in this bill... Discrimination is still allowed IMO.

This is one addy for the bill text  http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bil … sm_v96.pdf

If you notice it's up to the employer to decide what is in your skill range...

That means that gives the employer rights to discriminate IMO.

It's a step forward but the battle has just begun IMO.


I am NOT knocking this first step... God no....   8 years as a medical person in hiding and I am frazzeled...

  • Registered: 2008-07-11
  • Posts: 7

Re: AB 2279 approved by Senate committee

Is anyone else here living in shadows like me?

Might as well chat about it the light at the end of the tunnel can be seen lets hope it isn't a train with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the controls.

So how about it care to share?

Together we can start the healing.


Jack

  • From: Los Angeles, CA
  • Registered: 2007-05-25
  • Posts: 605

Re: AB 2279 approved by Senate committee

Governor Schwarzenegger is still a question mark for AB 2279. Last week, ASA Staff Counsel Joe Elford and I met with staff from the Governor's office and Assemblymember Leno's office to discuss the bill. The Governor has no position yet. Keep an eye out for action alerts targeting him soon!

The safety sensitive exception in AB 2279 is a necessary concession to get the bill adopted. Employers do not get the final say, however. The definition is taken from existing state law and was modified in committee to include a reference to federal law. Employers can not arbitrarily decide that an employee whose job does not fit that definition is exempt. Obviously some legal patients will not enjoy the full protection of AB 2279. Nevertheless, establishing a right to fair employment practices for a large portion of the patient population is beneficial.

dondduncan's Website

  • Registered: 2008-07-11
  • Posts: 7

Re: AB 2279 approved by Senate committee

dondduncan wrote:

Governor Schwarzenegger is still a question mark for AB 2279. Last week, ASA Staff Counsel Joe Elford and I met with staff from the Governor's office and Assemblymember Leno's office to discuss the bill. The Governor has no position yet. Keep an eye out for action alerts targeting him soon!

The safety sensitive exception in AB 2279 is a necessary concession to get the bill adopted. Employers do not get the final say, however. The definition is taken from existing state law and was modified in committee to include a reference to federal law. Employers can not arbitrarily decide that an employee whose job does not fit that definition is exempt. Obviously some legal patients will not enjoy the full protection of AB 2279. Nevertheless, establishing a right to fair employment practices for a large portion of the patient population is beneficial.

I agree.  It's a first step.

We have much to overcome not only with employer policy but also with co-worker bias.