Reproductive health care; adverse action against employee by employers prohibited. (HB2287)

Introduced By

Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Reproductive health care; action by employers prohibited. Prohibits an employer from taking adverse action against any employee solely on the basis of a reproductive health care decision made by the employee or a dependent of the employee. The measure also prohibits an employer from accessing personal information regarding the employee's or the employee's dependent's reproductive health care decisions without the employee's prior informed affirmative written consent. The measure entitles an employee against whom adverse action is taken in violation of these provisions to bring a private cause of action against the employer, in which the court may award actual or punitive damages, including back pay with interest at the judgment rate, and reasonable attorney fees, or may grant injunctive relief. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/21/2015Presented and ordered printed 15103751D
01/21/2015Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/23/2015Assigned Courts sub: Constitutional Law
01/30/2015Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
02/02/2015Impact statement from DPB (HB2287)
02/10/2015Left in Courts of Justice

Comments

ACLU-VA Women's Rights and Reproductive Freedom, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this bill. In 2014, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. For the first time in history, the Court held that closely held corporations with religious objections cannot be required to provide birth control coverage for their employees, and that business owners can force their personal religious beliefs on their employees. This bill ensures that, regardless of an employer’s personal beliefs, an employer cannot retaliate against an employee because of an employee’s reproductive health care decisions, including the decision to access birth control. Private decision making about birth control and other reproductive health care decisions should be left to a woman and her doctor, not her boss or a politician. Religious liberty means the right to hold and preach your beliefs, but not to impose them on others.

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

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this bill. In 2014, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. For the first time in history, the Court held that closely held corporations with religious objections cannot be required to provide birth control coverage for their employees, and that business owners can force their personal religious beliefs on their employees. This bill ensures that, regardless of an employer’s personal beliefs, an employer cannot retaliate against an employee because of an employee’s reproductive health care decisions, including the decision to access birth control. Private decision making about birth control and other reproductive health care decisions should be left to a woman and her doctor, not her boss or a politician. Religious liberty means the right to hold and preach your beliefs, but not to impose them on others.