Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 42 : Section 12113


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 12113. Defenses

    (a) In general
      It may be a defense to a charge of discrimination under this
    chapter that an alleged application of qualification standards,
    tests, or selection criteria that screen out or tend to screen out
    or otherwise deny a job or benefit to an individual with a
    disability has been shown to be job-related and consistent with
    business necessity, and such performance cannot be accomplished by
    reasonable accommodation, as required under this subchapter.
    (b) Qualification standards
      The term "qualification standards" may include a requirement that
    an individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or
    safety of other individuals in the workplace.
    (c) Religious entities
      (1) In general
        This subchapter shall not prohibit a religious corporation,
      association, educational institution, or society from giving
      preference in employment to individuals of a particular religion
      to perform work connected with the carrying on by such
      corporation, association, educational institution, or society of
      its activities.
      (2) Religious tenets requirement
        Under this subchapter, a religious organization may require
      that all applicants and employees conform to the religious tenets
      of such organization.
    (d) List of infectious and communicable diseases
      (1) In general
        The Secretary of Health and Human Services, not later than 6
      months after July 26, 1990, shall - 
          (A) review all infectious and communicable diseases which may
        be transmitted through handling the food supply;
          (B) publish a list of infectious and communicable diseases
        which are transmitted through handling the food supply;
          (C) publish the methods by which such diseases are
        transmitted; and
          (D) widely disseminate such information regarding the list of
        diseases and their modes of transmissability )1(! to the
        general public.


      Such list shall be updated annually.
      (2) Applications
        In any case in which an individual has an infectious or
      communicable disease that is transmitted to others through the
      handling of food, that is included on the list developed by the
      Secretary of Health and Human Services under paragraph (1), and
      which cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation, a covered
      entity may refuse to assign or continue to assign such individual
      to a job involving food handling.
      (3) Construction
        Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preempt, modify,
      or amend any State, county, or local law, ordinance, or
      regulation applicable to food handling which is designed to
      protect the public health from individuals who pose a significant
      risk to the health or safety of others, which cannot be
      eliminated by reasonable accommodation, pursuant to the list of
      infectious or communicable diseases and the modes of
      transmissability )1(! published by the Secretary of Health and
      Human Services.



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