89R9591 CJD-D     By: Bucy H.B. No. 1797       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to drug testing and prescription drug policies for   employees and independent contractors of state agencies and   political subdivisions regarding the medical use of low-THC   cannabis and hemp.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 621 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 621. DRUG TESTING AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG POLICIES          Sec. 621.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Drug test" means a technical analysis of an   individual's biological specimen to determine the presence or   absence of specified drugs or metabolites.                (2)  "Hemp" has the meaning assigned by Section   121.001, Agriculture Code.                (3)  "Low-THC cannabis" has the meaning assigned by   Section 169.001, Occupations Code.                (4)  "Peace officer" means a person elected, employed,   or appointed as a peace officer under Article 2A.001, Code of   Criminal Procedure.          Sec. 621.002.  EXCEPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to:                (1)  a peace officer who is elected, employed, or   appointed by a state agency or a political subdivision of this   state; or                (2)  an employee of a state agency or a political   subdivision of this state who is required to comply with United   States Department of Transportation drug testing regulations in   accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 40.          Sec. 621.003.  PROHIBITED DRUG TESTING AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG   POLICIES. A state agency or a political subdivision of this state   may not:                (1)  establish a drug testing policy that requires an   employee or independent contractor of the agency or political   subdivision as a condition of employment or contract to submit to a   drug test to screen for the presence of cannabinoids;                (2)  as a condition of employment or contract with the   agency or political subdivision, administer or require the   administration of a drug test to the employee or contractor to   screen for the presence of cannabinoids;                (3)  establish for the employee or contractor as a   condition of employment or contract a negative test result for the   presence of cannabinoids; or                (4)  prohibit an employee or contractor as a condition   of employment or contract from:                      (A)  prescribing or obtaining a prescription for   low-THC cannabis or using low-THC cannabis in accordance with   Chapter 169, Occupations Code; or                      (B)  using a consumable hemp product.          Sec. 621.004.  MEDICAL PRIVACY. A state agency or a   political subdivision of this state may not question an employee   about the employee's use of low-THC cannabis or hemp and shall   comply with all relevant state and federal privacy laws, including   Chapter 181, Health and Safety Code, the Health Insurance   Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191),   and regulations adopted under that Act.          Sec. 621.005.  RELIEF AVAILABLE. (a) A person may assert an   actual or threatened violation of Section 621.003 or 621.004 as a   claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding and   obtain:                (1)  compensatory damages;                (2)  injunctive relief;                (3)  declaratory relief; and                (4)  other appropriate relief, including reasonable   attorney's fees.          (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, a person may commence an   action under this section and relief may be granted regardless of   whether the person sought or exhausted available administrative   remedies.          Sec. 621.006.  IMMUNITY WAIVED. A person who alleges a   violation of Section 621.003 or 621.004 may sue the state agency or   political subdivision for the relief provided under Section   621.005. Sovereign or governmental immunity, as applicable, is   waived and abolished to the extent of liability for that relief.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 621, Government Code, as added by this   Act, applies only to the administration of a drug testing or   prescription drug policy or of a drug test on or after the effective   date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.