Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis
SB 439 prohibits Maryland fire and rescue public safety employers from taking negative employment actions (like firing or denying promotions) against employees who use medical cannabis, provided the employee has a valid medical cannabis certification under state law. It amends existing Maryland law to explicitly add this protection for public safety workers, aligning with current medical cannabis certification requirements. The bill does not change how medical cannabis is certified but ensures these employees cannot face discrimination solely for using cannabis legally under the state program. This applies to all fire and rescue employees who meet the state's medical cannabis eligibility criteria.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 30, 2026
Signed Apr 28, 2026
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What changed between versions
First - Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis
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Third - Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis
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4 edits
MODERATE
The bill underwent significant structural reorganization, shifting from a standard Senate Bill format to a formal Chapter designation, and updating the bill reference number to HB 797. The substantive definitions for medical cannabis providers and qualifying patients were renumbered and slightly reordered, but the core legal requirements and eligibility criteria remain unchanged. These changes appear to be procedural updates and formatting adjustments rather than new policy mandates.
Scope change
The bill's scope of applicability remains unchanged; the modifications are primarily technical and structural.
TECHNICAL
The document header was updated to reflect a 'Chapter' designation and changed the bill reference from SB 1023/25 to HB 797.
The section defining 'Certifying provider' was renumbered and reordered, but the specific criteria for licensure and good standing were preserved.
The section defining 'Qualifying patient' was renumbered and reordered, maintaining the same requirements for written certification and caregiver status.
New explanatory text was added to clarify that underlining indicates amendments to the bill.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 23, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 1, 2026
How they voted
35–11
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Feb 23, 2026
D
Democratic36
91% Yea
R
Republican13
84% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
11
Committee
6
Apr 28, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 183
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Apr 1, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (109-23-10)
house of delegates
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Referred Economic Matters
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until 3/6 (Senator Jennings) Adopted
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (35-11-3)
senate
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Carl Jackson
DDemocratic
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