Virginia Human Rights Act; public employment, prohibited discrimination, sexual orientation. (HB417)
Introduced By
Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church) with support from 19 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:
Those copatrons are Del. Mamye BaCote (D-Newport News), Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington), Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax), Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax Station), Del. Mike Futrell (D-Woodbridge), Del. Daun Hester (D-Norfolk), Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington), Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond), Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), Del. Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria), Del. Luke Torian (D-Woodbridge), Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville), Del. Roslyn Tyler (D-Jarratt), Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton), Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale), Sen. Roz Dance (D-Petersburg), Sen. Lynwood Lewis (D-Accomac), Sen. Monty Mason (D-Williamsburg), Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Virginia Human Rights Act; public employment; prohibited discrimination; sexual orientation. Prohibits discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation. The bill defines "sexual orientation" as a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression. The bill expressly provides that "sexual orientation" does not include any person's attraction towards persons with whom sexual conduct would be illegal due to the age of the parties. The bill also codifies existing prohibited discrimination in public employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, or status as a veteran. The bill contains technical amendments. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/04/2014 | Committee |
| 01/04/2014 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14101075D |
| 01/04/2014 | Referred to Committee on General Laws |
| 01/22/2014 | Assigned GL sub: Subcommittee #4 |
| 01/23/2014 | Subcommittee recommends laying on the table |
| 02/03/2014 | Impact statement from DPB (HB417) |
| 02/12/2014 | Left in General Laws |
Comments
PUBLIC HEALTH and other studies report findings of associations between discrimination, stigma, and prejudice because of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity with serious negative health impacts for individual, community, and public health. Legal and policy protections against this discrimination are shown in studies to mitigate some part of these widespread negative health impacts.
EMPLOYMENT, WORKPLACE, ECONOMIC and other studies report significant negative impacts on household income and family security - including for children, elders, and other dependents of the family - in jurisdictions without protections for same-sex households. And, there is evidence that jurisdictions with protections have more productive and thriving economies.
So, does the Commonwealth prefer improving public health and improving economic climate? If so, nondiscrimination can assist improving both public health and economic strength.
The ACLU of Virginia supports this legislation that would codify for the first time a legislative policy against workplace discrimination against all state and local employees. The bill would prohibit discrimination by any state agency (including colleges and universities),any local government or local school division or local constitutional officer based on sex, age, national origin, race, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation and gender identity.