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DISA has once again received top recognition as the number one drug testing third-party administrator (TPA) in Drug Testing Industry Survey for the seventh consecutive year!
On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Governor Walz signed HF 100, legalizing recreational cannabis in the state of Minnesota. Adults 21 and older are permitted to use and possess up to two ounces of cannabis in public beginning August 1, 2023. Possession of up to two pounds of cannabis is permitted in the home and limited home grow of up to eight plants is also permitted. While HF 100 also permits commercial cannabis sales, it did not include guidance for the regulatory market. A new state agency, the Office of Cannabis Management, is tasked with drafting and approving rules for the commercial sales market. The state has set a goal to begin accepting applications for recreational cannabis retail shops in May 2024 and to potentially begin sales in January 2025.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse is an essential tool in ensuring the safety and compliance of commercial drivers. However, there are common misconceptions regarding the requirements for contacting previous employers in relation to the Clearinghouse policies. DISA Global Solutions aims to provide clarity on the obligations of employers when it comes to previous employer checks. By understanding these requirements, employers can navigate the Clearinghouse more effectively and ensure compliance with the necessary regulations.
Governor Inslee of Washington signed Senate Bill 5123 (SB 5123) into law this week, effectively limiting employer rights in the state to pre-employment test for cannabis and take action based on positive results. Employers are required to comply by January 1, 2024. The newly passed bill severely limits an employer’s ability to test applicants for most positions for cannabis. Specifically, employers cannot discriminate in hiring based on a drug test that detects the presence of “nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites.”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Registry is an essential tool for commercial motor carriers and drivers to maintain compliance with federal regulations. It is crucial for companies in the transportation industry to keep track of which ELDs they use and ensure they are listed on the FMCSA's ELD Registry. DISA Global Solutions, a leading provider of compliance solutions, has recognized this need and created a dedicated page that lists all registered and revoked ELDs, updated monthly.
Sleep apnea is a growing concern in the trucking industry, as untreated sleep apnea symptoms can significantly impact a driver's performance and safety on the road. Often, people equate impaired driving with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, another form of impaired driving, equally hazardous and unrelated to the consumption of illicit substances, exists. Known as drowsy driving, this form of impairment poses a distinct threat to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators, their companies, and others sharing the road.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently issued its final rule to amend regulations, allowing oral fluid testing for employees in the transportation industry. This development is set to streamline the drug testing process, offering a more efficient alternative to existing procedures, particularly in shy-bladder scenarios. The Notice of this rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on May 2, 2023. You can find the Notice here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-08041.pdf
Michigan has taken a significant step forward in their efforts toward criminal justice reform with the implementation of the new "Clean Slate" law. The law is designed to offer a fresh start to individuals with criminal records by automatically expunging certain convictions if specific conditions are met. While this is a welcome development for many, it poses a significant challenge to those conducting background checks in the state. Several Michigan counties have already initiated updates to their court systems to facilitate the automatic expungement processes.
California has long been at the forefront of marijuana legalization in the United States. With the passing of AB 2188 in September of last year, employers must now navigate the complexities of this new legislation and its potential impact on their drug testing policies. That’s why it’s so important to thoroughly understand California's marijuana legalization law, AB 2188, and its implications for human resources and safety professionals. Bill Current, founder of the Current Consulting Group, recently presented a webinar for DISA covering everything employers need to know about California’s AB 2188. Here’s a quick and comprehensive summary!
Delaware recently became the latest state to legalize recreational cannabis. Governor Carney, although not in agreement with the push to legalize adult-use cannabis, decided to allow the passage of two bills (HB 1 and HB 2) pertaining to legalization without signing them. Cannabis became legal immediately although the state has yet to establish dispensaries, retail regulations, and more.
The legalization of marijuana has led to significant shifts in public perception over recent years. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 68% of Americans supported the legalization of marijuana, reflecting growing acceptance of its use. This shift in public opinion may contribute to the belief that marijuana should be removed from workplace drug testing panels. Many individuals argue that marijuana use outside of working hours should not be grounds for employment-related consequences.
As marijuana legalization gains momentum across the United States, the topic of workplace drug testing has become increasingly relevant. With some employers considering the removal of marijuana from their drug testing panels, it's essential to examine the implications of this decision.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed SB 47 into effect, making Kentucky the 38th state to permit medical cannabis use for certain serious health conditions, and will be available beginning January 1, 2025. Medical cannabis patients are not to be considered under the influence based solely on the presence of cannabis metabolites. SB 47 provides guidance for employers, including what constitutes a “good faith” determination of impairment.
In June 2022, the City of Atlanta adopted a new ordinance to amend its existing anti-discrimination laws (Chapter 94 of the Atlanta Municipal Code). The updated laws were effective immediately and apply to all private employers with ten or more employees, so employers that missed the update last year will want to work quickly to make sure they are in compliance.
If your HR team is experiencing delays in background check results, you may want to be aware of some of the common causes for delays and what you can do to minimize or prevent them entirely.
To be clear, we’re ranked higher than your current provider.
A blended workforce consists of employees who work from an office or central location and employees who work remotely.
Navigating this terrain is crucial to the quality of patient care and the protection of organizational reputation.
Effective July 29, 2021, New York City further tightens the reigns on employers by broadening the scope of its Fair Chance Act (FCA). The FCA was first enacted in 2015 to help people obtain employment based on their merits rather than their mistakes.
On January 4, 2021, the National Labor Relations Board issued an opinion regarding union allegations that several provisions of a company’s employee handbook violated the National Labor Relations Act.[1]
Beginning December 2021, a new federal law – the Fair Chance Act – will prohibit federal contractors nationwide from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal history during the initial stages of the application process. The new restrictions will only apply to positions related to work under the federal contract that subjects the contractor to the Fair Chance Act. The Act was signed into law by President Trump in December of 2019 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Hiring executives confronting the checkerboard of state and local regulations on background screening can follow practitioner-tested conventions to dodge problems and improve outcomes.
As mentioned in our previous posts, an employer must navigate candidate and employee background screening with extreme caution.
Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act has been in existence since 1950, but the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation provided codifications for the section in 2020.
“Ban the Box” is a fast-growing nationwide movement that seeks to protect job applicants who have criminal records by eliminating any inquiry into such histories on initial job applications. As of 2019, 35 states and more than 150 cities and counties had adopted ban-the-box laws, according to the National Employment Law Project.
As mentioned in our previous blog post, adverse actions that affect candidates for employment or promotion can expose employers to potential legal action. Most common are claims of “disparate impact” on protected classes.
The year of COVID-19 continues to introduce new challenges to HR’s business-as-usual hiring processes. Thankfully, the federal government continues to listen, learn, and respond. One of the many adjustments include the I-9 verification, also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification, is a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services form. Mandated by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, it’s used to verify the identity and legal authorization to work of all paid employees in the United States.
Global HR Research, the home of Clairiti and –a leading provider of award-winning background screening technology, data, and business analytics announces the release of a critical industry research study curated and managed by HRO Today, a trusted leader in examining the HR industry’s overall satisfaction with background screening services.
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