Virginia Human Rights Act; creation of cause of action for discrimination. (HB2496)

Introduced By

Del. Kathy Tran (D-Springfield)

Progress

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

Description

Virginia Human Rights Act; creation of cause of action for discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or age. Creates a cause of action against any employer employing more than five but fewer than 15 persons who engages in an unlawful discriminatory act against any employee on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including lactation. The bill also creates a cause of action against any employer employing more than five but fewer than 20 persons who engages in an unlawful discriminatory act against an employee on the basis of age if the employee is 40 years of age or older. Under current law, an employee who has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including lactation, or age may only file an action against his employer if the employee is discharged by the employer on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including lactation, or age. The bill permits a court, in cases where the employee prevails, to award compensatory or punitive damages in an amount of up to $25,000 and attorney fees not to exceed 25 percent of the amount awarded. The bill provides that the provisions creating a cause of action against an employer who engages in unlawful discriminatory practices against an employee shall apply only to unlawful discriminatory practices that occur or are alleged to occur on or after July 1, 2019. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/09/2019Committee
01/09/2019Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19104161D
01/09/2019Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/22/2019Assigned Courts sub: Subcommittee #2
01/23/2019Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (2-Y 3-N)
02/05/2019Left in Courts of Justice