Skip to the main content.
New! Continuous MVR monitoring
Driving record monitoring

Ongoing monitoring of driving records can help employers avoid risk and improve driver safety. Learn about the benefits of adding Verified Credentials' newest solution to your screening strategy.

Read the blog ›

Featured resource

Industry-Trends-Report-01

Learn the latest trends in employment background checks. This report uses real-life usage data to uncover how employers are screening across industries.

Download the full report ›

Verified Credentials is a leading background screening company. Since 1984, we’ve helped validate and secure relationships through the use of our comprehensive screening solutions. We offer a wide variety of background checks, verifications, and innovative screening tools.

Get to know us ›

Accredited background screening solutions

Logo-PBSA-Accreditation-120x98

Our accreditation confirms that our policies, processes, and employee training meet rigorous industry compliance standards.

Learn about our solutions ›

1 min read

Philadelphia Inches Closer to Certain Drug Testing Limits

There has been a rise in legalizing medicinal and recreational cannabis across the United States. Some areas have expunged records related to marijuana. Others have decriminalized the use of marijuana. It seems attitudes about the drug have changed in the country. Maybe you’ve thought about how this impacts how you approach screening marijuana use for employment purposes.

We’ve been keeping tabs on the topic. Last year we talked about how Virginia passed a law that bans asking about certain marijuana-related offenses. This month we are looking at changes coming to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia’s New Law

Recent legislation in Philadelphia will make it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, labor organization, or employment agency to require a prospective employee to submit to testing for the presence of marijuana as a condition of employment.

There are certain exceptions. This restriction will not apply to candidates applying for jobs in certain professions, including:

  • Law enforcement positions
  • Roles requiring a commercial driver’s license
  • Any position requiring the supervision or care of children, medical patients, disabled, or other vulnerable people
  • Any job where the employee could significantly impact the health and safety of others determined by the city and identified in future regulations.

This restriction will also not apply to drug testing required by:

  • Federal or state law, regulation, or order that requires drug testing of applicants for safety or security purposes
  • Contracts between the federal government and employers or grants awarded by the federal government that require drug testing of applicants as a condition of receiving the contract or grant
  • Valid collective bargaining agreements that specifically address the pre-employment drug testing of applicants

What’s the Timeline?

Philadelphia’s City Council passed the proposed law on April 22, 2021. Mayor Jim Kenney signed the law on April 28, 2021. The law will become effective on January 1, 2022.

Verified Credentials will continue to monitor this legislation. If you think this law might impact your drug testing program, consider speaking with your legal advisor.

Employment Fairness Act for Returning Citizens in Prince George’s County, MD

The Prince George's Employment Fairness Act for Returning Citizens is a new law in Prince George's County, Maryland, designed to provide fair...

Read More

Colorado’s Clean Slate Act Goes into Effect

As of July 1, 2024, Colorado’s Clean Slate Act, or Senate Bill 22-099, is officially in effect.This comes in the wake of several other states that...

Read More

Texas Attorney General Forms Privacy Task Force

The Texas Attorney General’s office has recently announcedthe formation of a dedicated task force within its Consumer Protection Division. This task...

Read More

New Guidance on Cannabis Drug Tests in New York State

Legal recreational marijuana use continues to shake up drug testing policies in the workplace. The state of New York recently joined the growing list...

Read More

Virginia “Bans the Box” (For Certain Offenses)

We have highlighted several new ban the box laws at the local, state, and federal level. Another month brings a new ban the box law for you to...

Read More

New York City Moves to Restrict Use of Certain Automated Hiring Technologies

Technology could help simplify the hiring process, including adopting new technologies to manage your candidate pool, run video interviews, and...

Read More