Virginia Human Rights Act; prohibits discrimination in employment. (HB179)

Introduced By

Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church) with support from co-patrons Del. Steve Heretick (D-Portsmouth), Del. Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria), and Sen. John Bell (D-Chantilly)

Progress

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

Description

Virginia Human Rights Act; prohibited discrimination in employment. Prohibits discrimination in private or public employment based on sexual orientation or status as a veteran. Under the Virginia Human Rights Act, such discrimination is actionable if the violating employer has between five and 15 employees. 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 conforms various provisions prohibiting discrimination in public employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. The bill contains technical amendments. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/23/2015Committee
12/23/2015Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16101664D
12/23/2015Referred to Committee on General Laws
02/01/2016Impact statement from DPB (HB179)
02/03/2016Assigned to sub: Subcommittee #4
02/03/2016Assigned GL sub: Subcommittee #4
02/04/2016Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
02/16/2016Left in General Laws

Comments

ACLU-VA LGBT Rights, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this bill. This legislation would prohibit public employers (state and local governments, colleges and schools, and constitutional officers) from discriminating against current or potential employees based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, gender identity or sexual orientation. All Virginians should have the right to a workplace free from discrimination and committed to equality of opportunity. No Virginian should fear losing their job because of discrimination. The fact is that there currently is no provision in the Virginia Code that protects public employees from discrimination under state law although opposition to this legislation has focused exclusively on coverage of LGBT people. It’s past time for Virginia to codify protections against workplace discrimination and make it clear that this basic protection extends to LGBT individuals.

Equality Virginia, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

Equality Virginia conditionally supports this bill with amended language.

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

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this bill. This legislation would prohibit public employers (state and local governments, colleges and schools, and constitutional officers) from discriminating against current or potential employees based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, gender identity or sexual orientation. All Virginians should have the right to a workplace free from discrimination and committed to equality of opportunity. No Virginian should fear losing their job because of discrimination. The fact is that there currently is no provision in the Virginia Code that protects public employees from discrimination under state law although opposition to this legislation has focused exclusively on coverage of LGBT people. It’s past time for Virginia to codify protections against workplace discrimination and make it clear that this basic protection extends to LGBT individuals.