Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB439: Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Prohibiting an employer from taking certain discriminatory employment actions against a fire and rescue public safety employee based on the employee's use of medical cannabis, subject to certain conditions; and requiring an employer to report an incident of a fire and rescue public safety employee reporting for work while impaired by cannabis to the State Emergency Medical Services Board.
What the bill says
An act concerning Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis FOR the purpose of prohibiting an employer from taking certain discriminatory employment actions against a fire and rescue public safety employee for the use of medical cannabis, subject to certain conditions; and generally relating to employment discrimination and the use of medical cannabis…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis FOR the purpose of prohibiting an employer from taking certain discriminatory employment actions against a fire and rescue public safety employee for the use of medical cannabis, subject to certain conditions; and generally relating to employment discrimination and the use of medical cannabis. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Section 36-101(a), (m), (ee), and (kk) Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - State Government Section 20-601 and 20-606 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 36-101. (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (m) "Certifying provider" means an individual who: (1) (i) 1. has an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine that was issued by the State Board of Physicians under Title 14 of the Health Occupations Article; and 2. is in good standing with the State Board of Physicians; (ii) 1. has an active, unrestricted license to practice dentistry that was issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners under Title 4 of …
Sponsors
- Michael Jackson (D, SD-027) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 183
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (108-23)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Economic Matters
- : Referred Economic Matters
- : Third Reading Passed (33-11)
- : Motion Special Order until 3/6 (Senator Jennings) Adopted
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (108-23) (April 13, 2026): 108 yea, 23 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (33-11) (March 6, 2026): 33 yea, 11 nay, passed
Subjects: Counties, Municipal Corporations, State Employees, Discipline, Fire Protection, Discrimination, Public Employees, Chemical Tests
Common questions
- What is SB439?
- SB439 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis.
- What does SB439 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis FOR the purpose of prohibiting an employer from taking certain discriminatory employment actions against a fire and rescue public safety employee for the use of medical cannabis, subject to certain conditions; and generally relating to employment discrimination and the use of medical cannabis…
- What is the status of SB439?
- Signed into law as of April 28, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 183 (April 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB439?
- Michael Jackson (D, SD-027).
- Where is the official record for SB439?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0439?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.