2015 Kentucky Revised Statutes
CHAPTER 344 - CIVIL RIGHTS
344.040 Unlawful discrimination by employers -- Difference in health plan contribution rates for smokers and nonsmokers and benefits for smoking cessation program participants excepted.

Download as PDF 344.040 Unlawful discrimination by employers -- Difference in health plan contribution rates for smokers and nonsmokers and benefits for smoking cessation program participants excepted. (1) (2) It is an unlawful practice for an employer: (a) To fail or refuse to hire, or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against an individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of the individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age forty (40) and over, because the person is a qualified individual with a disability, or because the individual is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with any workplace policy concerning smoking; (b) To limit, segregate, or classify employees in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive an individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect status as an employee, because of the individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or age forty (40) and over, because the person is a qualified individual with a disability, or because the individual is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with any workplace policy concerning smoking; or (c) To require as a condition of employment that any employee or applicant for employment abstain from smoking or using tobacco products outside the course of employment, as long as the person complies with any workplace policy concerning smoking. (a) A difference in employee contribution rates for smokers and nonsmokers in relation to an employer-sponsored health plan shall not be deemed to be an unlawful practice in violation of this section. (b) The offering of incentives or benefits offered by an employer to employees who participate in a smoking cessation program shall not be deemed to be an unlawful practice in violation of this section. Effective: July 15, 2010 History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 126, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 378, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1994. – Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 282, sec. 5, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 388, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 245, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1980. -- Amended 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 3. -- Created 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 2, Art. 3, sec. 302. Legislative Research Commission Note (10/19/2004). 2004 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 4, sets forth different employee contribution rates to the state health insurance plan for the period January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2005, for smokers and nonsmokers and provides, "A difference in employee contribution rates for smokers and nonsmokers under this plan shall not be deemed to be an unlawful practice in violation of KRS 344.040."