Republican Sen. Joe Hardy, MD, has proposed the bill. Today, he plans to introduce an amendment that would allow hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities to specifically factor candidates’ smoking habits into their hiring decisions after June 30.
Other employers would remain prohibited from basing hiring decisions on a job candidate’s tobacco use under the expected amendment.
Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health is collaborating with Sen. Hardy on the bill. The system wants to consider smoking habits in its future hiring decisions, but does not want current employees to be fired for smoking, according to the report.
Senate bill 87 can be read here.
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