Virginia Bans Employer Inquiries into Marijuana Possession
1 min read
Written By
Kelly Uebel
Published
May 28, 2020
On May 21, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed HB972 into law. The law goes into effect July 1, 2020 leaving employers a few short weeks to come into compliance.
As part of the bill, employers are prohibited from inquiring into – in an application, interview or otherwise – any arrest, criminal charge or conviction that relates to a violation of §18.2-250.1, i.e., simple possession of marijuana. A willful violation of this new law can lead to a Class 1 misdemeanor for each violation.
The law also changes such possession from a misdemeanor to a civil penalty with a small fine. If an individual is operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the violation, the violation will be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles and included on the individual’s driving record. Finally, the law allows individuals to seek expungement of their records related to simple possession of marijuana.
You might also like
Transportation Background Screening: Evolving Standards, New Hiring Challenges
See how transportation background screening is evolving and why trucking companies that fail to modernize their approach risk falling behind operationally, financially, and reputationally.
The Real Reason Why Background Screening Results Vary by Provider
Why do all background screeners sound the same, yet outcomes vary so widely? We cover the real reason why background screening results vary by provider.
The Hidden Crisis in Public Records: How Data Gaps Are Putting Property Managers at Risk
This blog unpacks what’s driving the current crisis in public records, what it means for property teams, and what steps you can take to better protect your portfolio.