Public employment; prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. (SB12)

Introduced By

Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) with support from co-patron Sen. Don McEachin (D-Richmond)

Progress

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

Description

Nondiscrimination in public employment. Prohibits discrimination in public employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, as defined in the bill. The bill also codifies for state and local government employment the current prohibitions on discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, or status as a special disabled veteran or other veteran. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/02/2015Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16100354D
12/02/2015Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
01/25/2016Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendment (9-Y 4-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
01/27/2016Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/27/2016Impact statement from DPB (SB12)
01/28/2016Read second time
01/28/2016Reading of amendment waived
01/28/2016Committee amendment agreed to
01/28/2016Engrossed by Senate as amended SB12E
01/28/2016Printed as engrossed 16100354D-E
01/29/2016Impact statement from DPB (SB12E)
01/29/2016Read third time and passed Senate (25-Y 15-N) (see vote tally)
02/03/2016Placed on Calendar
02/03/2016Read first time
02/03/2016Referred to Committee on General Laws
02/17/2016Assigned GL sub: Subcommittee #4
02/18/2016Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
03/08/2016Left 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 supports this bill.

Right Way Forward Virginia writes:

Right Way Forward Virginia, a nonpartisan advocacy organization promoting a free, prosperous, and inclusive society, supports this legislation. No person should be fired, or should be refused to be hired, by the government on any basis other than qualifications and job performance. SB12 would simply enshrine into law this fundamental principle.

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.