The proposed bill, titled the "Medical Marijuana Public Employee Protection Act," aims to safeguard public employees who are qualified patients using medical marijuana from adverse personnel actions by their employers. It establishes a new section in Florida Statutes, defining key terms such as "adverse personnel action," "qualified patient," and "public employer." The bill prohibits public employers from taking negative actions against employees or job applicants for their medical marijuana use, provided they are qualified patients. However, it allows for exceptions if the employer can demonstrate that the use of medical marijuana impairs the employee's job performance.

Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for handling positive marijuana test results, requiring employers to notify employees or applicants of their rights to contest the results within a specified timeframe. It also provides a cause of action for employees who face adverse actions in violation of this section, allowing them to seek remedies such as reinstatement, compensation for lost wages, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that it does not require employers to violate federal law or modify job conditions if it poses undue hardship. Overall, the legislation seeks to balance the rights of medical marijuana users with the operational needs of public employers.