FIRST REGULAR SESSION
[PERFECTED]
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SCHAAF.
Read 1st time February 21, 2005 and copies ordered printed.
Read 2nd time February 22, 2005 and referred to the Committee on Insurance Policy February 24, 2005.
Reported from the Committee on Insurance Policy March 9, 2005 with recommendation that the bill Do Pass by Consent. Referred to the Committee on Rules pursuant to Rule 25(26)(f).
Reported from the Committee on Rules March 10, 2005 with recommendation that the bill Do Pass by Consent with no time limit for debate.
Perfected by Consent March 22, 2005.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 290.145, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to health insurance benefits for employees.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 290.145, RSMo, is repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 285.125 and 290.145, to read as follows:
285.125. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an employer shall be permitted to provide or contract for health insurance benefits at a reduced premium rate for employees who do not smoke or use tobacco products.
290.145. It shall be an improper employment practice for an employer to refuse to hire, or to discharge, any individual, or to otherwise disadvantage any individual, with respect to compensation, terms or conditions of employment because the individual uses lawful alcohol or tobacco products off the premises of the employer during hours such individual is not working for the employer, unless such use interferes with the duties and performance of the employee, [his] the employee's coworkers, or the overall operation of the employer's business; except that, nothing in this section shall prohibit an employer from providing or contracting for health insurance benefits at a reduced premium rate for employees who do not smoke or use tobacco products. Religious organizations and church-operated institutions, and not-for-profit organizations whose principal business is health care promotion shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to create a cause of action for injunctive relief, damages or other relief.