Other HIV Laws | Maine

Люди с ограниченными возможностями, такими как ВИЧ/СПИД, могут испытывать проблемы со здоровьем, затрудняющие выполнение некоторых рабочих требований или обязанностей. Например, человек может чувствовать себя истощенным или утомленным, и ему будет сложно работать полный рабочий день.

In certain circumstances, the employer has an obligation to modify or adjust job requirements or workplace policies in order to enable a person with a disability, such as HIV or AIDS, to perform the job duties. This is known as a “reasonable accommodation.”

Примеры разумных мер поддержки включают в себя:

• Изменение или смена должностных задач или обязанностей;
• Установление неполного или измененного графика работы;
• Предоставление перерывов в течение рабочего дня для посещения врача;
• Перевод сотрудника на вакантную должность; или
• Внесение изменений в планировку рабочего места или приобретение таких устройств, как телефонный усилитель, чтобы, например, человек с нарушениями слуха мог выполнять работу.

It is, with rare exception, the employee’s responsibility to initiate the request for an accommodation. In addition, an employer may request that an employee provide some information about the nature of the disability. Employees with concerns about disclosing HIV/AIDS status to a supervisor should contact GLAD Answers.

Не существует фиксированного набора условий, которые может запросить сотрудник. Характер запрашиваемого условия будет зависеть от конкретных потребностей и обстоятельств конкретного сотрудника.

No, an employer is not obligated to grant each and every request for an accommodation. An employer does not have to grant a reasonable accommodation that will create an “undue burden” (i.e., significant difficulty or expense for the employer’s operation). In addition, the employer does not have to provide a reasonable accommodation if the employee cannot perform the job function even with the reasonable accommodation.

При определении того, создает ли запрашиваемое приспособление неоправданное бремя или трудности для работодателя, суды рассматривают ряд факторов, в том числе:

• Размер работодателя, бюджет и финансовые ограничения;
• Расходы на реализацию запрошенного размещения; а также
• Как размещение влияет на бизнес работодателя или мешает ему.

Опять же, каждая ситуация рассматривается в индивидуальном порядке.

An employer only has an obligation to grant the reasonable accommodation if, as a result of the accommodation, the employee is then qualified to perform the essential job duties. An employer does not have to hire or retain an employee who cannot perform the essential functions of the job, even with a reasonable accommodation.

No, a health care provider may not deny treatment or care based on the refusal to consent to HIV testing.

Under Maine law, a person who is 18 years of age or older may purchase a “hypodermic apparatus,” such as a hypodermic syringe and needle, from a pharmacist and other authorized sellers.

An individual, however, may not lawfully purchase or possess more than ten “hypodermic apparatuses” at any one time, unless otherwise authorized by law (such as a physician acting within the scope of employment).

Yes. Maine law authorizes the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to certify needle exchange programs.  There is no limit on the number of hypodermic needles participants in these programs may possess.

Yes, in June 18, 2021, Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1115, An Act to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Medications, which expands access to a simple, safe, and effective medication known as HIV pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) that reduces the risk of HIV transmission by close to 100%. The new law authorizes pharmacists to dispense PrEP, as well as HIV Post- exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), without a prescription on a short-term basis.

For more information, see: Maine Becomes a Leader in Pharmacy Access to Effective HIV Prevention Drug – GLAD

Yes, in 2019 the Maine Insurance Code was amended to prohibit discrimination under a life, disability income or long-term care insurance policy due to the fact that the individual has been prescribed preexposure prophylaxis medication to prevent HIV infection. For more information, see Title 24-A, §2159: Unfair discrimination — life insurance, annuities and health insurance.