iradiophilly | News - Philly Council Passes Marijuana Testing Bill; Penn/Drexel Require Vaccines; Arch HS Grad and Prom

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Philly Council Passes Marijuana Testing Bill; Penn/Drexel Require Vaccines; Arch HS Grad and Prom

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 04/23/21 1:19 am | updated: 04/23/21 1:19 am

Philadelphia City Council approved a bill on Thursday, 4/22, that would prohibit many Philadelphia employers from testing new hires for marijuana as a requirement of employment. There are a few exceptions for certain jobs including: law enforcement, commercial drivers, and many health care workers. Also, "any position in which the employee could significantly impact the health or safety of other employees or members of the public." Union employers are also not prohibited from testing if the employees agreed to it in their collective bargaining contracts. Councilman Derek Green introduced the legislation. Medical marijuana is legal in the state. He grew concerned when he learned that some patients prescribed marijuana as treatment were being screened out of jobs because of pre-employment testing. Recreational marijuana is still illegal in Pennsylvania, but possession of a small amount has been decriminalized in Philadelphia. The vote was 15-1 with Councilmember David Oh the lone no vote. Mayor Jim Kenney is expected to sign the bill. It would take effect on January 1, 2022.

SEE BILL: Bill Number 200625
DOWNLOAD BILL: Download Bill Number 200625

Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania both announced that coronavirus COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for all students when they return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester. They both will allow exceptions for medical or religious reasons. "Individuals will need to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (or have been granted a medical/religious exemption) in order to reside in Drexel housing, take classes, or engage in any other activities on campus," says Drexel in a letter to students. "Students should plan on being fully vaccinated (i.e., two weeks after the last dose of the vaccine) before they return to campus for the fall semester," a Penn spokesperson wrote. "For any students who have not been vaccinated by the time they return to campus, the University will provide vaccination clinics, however students will need to quarantine for two weeks after receiving their first dose." Penn also says that flu vaccines will also be mandatory later in the fall. Penn is still considering expectations for faculty and staff vaccinations. They will be revealed at a later a date, but all faculty and staff is encouraged to get vaccinated. Both schools are planning to fully open next fall. Lehigh University in Bethlehem and Rutgers University will also require student vaccinations.

Each of the 17 catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will have an in-person graduation this spring as well as senior proms. "Each of the schools prepared a graduation plan for us," explained Sister Maureen McDermott, superintendent for archdiocesan secondary schools. "We reviewed them for COVID safety, and they will all have in-person graduations. Our principals and presidents did a really good job with their team of planning it out and looking at what's the best facility for graduation; what's the best facility for the baccalaureate Mass." The ceremonies may be indoors or outdoors and some may be split into two events depending on the size of the graduation. The Archdiocese spans five counties and had to come up with different safety plans according to the guidelines of each health department. The same careful planning is going on for each school in regards to their proms.

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