Virginia Human Rights Act; public employment; prohibited discrimination; sexual orientation. (HB1643)

Introduced By

Del. Ron Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach) with support from co-patrons Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church), and Del. Joseph Yost (R-Blacksburg)

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 toward 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

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/09/2015Committee
01/09/2015Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/15 15102622D
01/09/2015Referred to Committee on General Laws
01/28/2015Assigned GL sub: Subcommittee #4
01/29/2015Impact statement from DPB (HB1643)
01/29/2015Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
02/10/2015Left in General Laws

Comments

Secular Coalition for Virginia, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The Secular Coalition of Virginia supports this bill. A person's sexual orientation has no bearing on their employment and any discrimination along those lines should be opposed just as strongly as discrimination based on race or religion.

ACLU-VA Legislative Agenda, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this legislation that is much broader than the catch line suggests. The bill would, for the first time, codify in the state code protections against discrimination in all state and local employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as veteran. Currently, while state and local employees may file grievances regarding some discrimination on the job, there is no state law prohibiting such discrimination against teachers, college professors and other state and local employees. It is past time for the legislature to enact protections against discrimination for all state and local workers, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers. Historically, this legislation has been supported by the VEA, the VGEA, the AARP, Equality Virginia, VACOLAO and a number of other organizations concerned about discrimination in the workplace.

Trudylynne OBrien writes:

The time has come for Virginia to join the ranks of other equality states. Please help pass this bill and make it law.