Belknap County commissioners agree to remove pre‑employment THC test for nursing home hiring; require policies on impairment

Belknap County commissioners voted unanimously to remove tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from the nursing home pre‑employment drug test panel and directed nursing home leadership and county staff to create policies and training to manage and recognize impairment on the job.

Shelley Richardson, nursing home director, told the board administrators had surveyed nearby facilities and found many no longer include THC in pre‑employment testing because cannabis laws in neighboring states and modern testing trends mean the test can deter applicants without necessarily improving workplace safety. Richardson said over the past five years three applicants were disqualified by THC test results, and dietary staff have reported hiring difficulties related to the testing policy.

Commissioners and staff discussed experiences in other counties: Carroll County removed THC from its panel but still uses agency staff; Rockingham County was in an initial 90‑day period reviewing a similar change. The county’s legal counsel was cited as advising that refusing to hire someone with a valid medical cannabis card could be legally problematic.

Sheriff Bill said that law enforcement has seen more applicants with cannabis use because surrounding states have legalized it, and that medical cards raise additional issues.

The board’s unanimous direction was to remove the pre‑employment THC test for the county nursing home and the county asked nursing home leadership to develop clear policies, supervisor training and education for staff to ensure employees are not working while impaired and to define criteria for safety‑sensitive positions such as drivers.

No formal ordinance or rule change was read into the record at the meeting; commissioners made the decision by unanimous agreement and requested implementation details and policy language from staff.