--- title: Employment Law Changes for March 2021 description: The CROWN act gains steam with Connecticut signing, while New Jersey also adopt medical marijuana laws. image: https://www.backstitch.io/hubfs/HRLawBlogGraphic%20(1).png --- [![backstitch purple logo](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/backstitch_logo_purple_2020.png?width=170&height=36&name=backstitch_logo_purple_2020.png "backstitch purple logo")](https://www.backstitch.io/) ## [Integrate Mental and Financial Wellness into Your Total Rewards](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/mental-wellness-total-rewards) [Read](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/mental-wellness-total-rewards) ## [Implement Flexible Benefits Allowances for Your Workforce](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/flexible-benefits-allowances) [Read](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/flexible-benefits-allowances) ## [Essential Skills and Tools that Every Total Rewards Professional Need](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/skills-and-tools-for-trs-professionals) [Read](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/skills-and-tools-for-trs-professionals) ## [AI and HR: Realistic Expectations for Automated Benefits Communication](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/ai-and-hr-realistic-expectations-for-automated-benefits-communication) [Read](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/ai-and-hr-realistic-expectations-for-automated-benefits-communication) ## [Open Enrollment in a Hybrid Workplace: Best Practices for Virtual Success](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/open-enrollment-in-a-hybrid-workplace-best-practices-for-virtual-success) [Read](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/open-enrollment-in-a-hybrid-workplace-best-practices-for-virtual-success) by [Liang Deng](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/author/liang-deng) on Mar 18, 2021 [Human Resources](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/topic/human-resources) [HR Law](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/topic/hr-law) # Employment Law Changes for March 2021 ### Subscribe to Email Updates ![The backstitch HR Law Blog keeps you up to date on important legal changes in Human Resources. ](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/HRLawBlogGraphic%20(1).png?width=200&name=HRLawBlogGraphic%20(1).png) *The backstitch HR law blog is a monthly series where we provide the latest updates on upcoming and recently in-effect legislation. Our blog series will provide short snippets of State, Federal, and Global changes in HR and employment law, so your organization can continue to stay up to date in the legal world.  * --- ## Connecticut On March 4, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut signed the [Creating a Respectful Open World for Natural Hair](https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/TOB/H/PDF/2021HB-06376-R00-HB.PDF) (CROWN) Act. This act prohibits workplace discrimination as well as discrimination in public accommodations, housing, union memberships state agencies and credit practices based on on’s hairstyle or hair texture. Connecticut joins seven other states in passing legislation similar to or the same as the [CROWN Act.](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/top-employment-law-changes-in-october-2019) ## New Jersey In response to the legalization of recreational marijuana, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, signed into law the [New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act](https://legiscan.com/NJ/text/A21/2020) (CREAMMA). This act establishes nondiscrimination rules that prohibit employers from taking adverse actions against someone solely because they use marijuana. Employers cannot penalize an employee or applicant based on whether they do or don’t smoke, vape, ingest or use cannabis items by: > - Refusing to hire > - Terminating an Employee > - Taking adverse employment action against the employee with respect to compensation, terms and conditions, or other employment privileges. Due to the fact employers cannot discriminate based on recreational cannabis use, the topic of drug testing gets a bit complicated. This act further emphasizes that employers have a right to maintain a drug and alcohol free workplace by implementing policies prohibiting use during one’s work hours. With that, employers are permitted to drug test in the following circumstances: > - Upon reasonable suspicion an employee is using cannabis on the clock > - Upon finding observable queues of intoxication at work > - As a part of a work-related investigation > - If stated there are random checks > - As a part of a pre-employment screening > - As part of regular employee screening to determine if using during work hours.  It is important to note that because this is a new law for state officials, it is likely some [rules](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-jersey-s-legalization-of-3238435/) will be subject to change. ![March LawBlog Graphic 2021](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Images/March%20LawBlog%20Graphic%202021.gif?width=600&name=March%20LawBlog%20Graphic%202021.gif)   ### [Liang Deng](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/author/liang-deng) Chief of Staff [![Get More Stories Like This](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/731034/4107f39f-2b58-4b20-8993-4fd20eae5e7b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/731034/4107f39f-2b58-4b20-8993-4fd20eae5e7b) [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backstitch.io%2Fblog%2Ftop-employment-law-changes-in-march-2021) [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backstitch.io%2Fblog%2Ftop-employment-law-changes-in-march-2021) ![post_img](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2558854/hubfs/Future-Vision-Assets/post_img1.jpg?width=786&name=post_img1.jpg "post_img") ### READ MORE OF WHAT YOU LIKE. 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