SB 1745 - Bill On Domestic Violence Discrimination Passes Legislature
SB 1745, authored by Shelia Kuehl, passed both the Assembly and Senate on September 7, 2006. As it left the Senate, the bill declared that it was the intent of the Legislature to develop legislation that protects victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking from housing and employment discrimination.
This bill provides that it is against public policy of the state to discriminate against a person in employment because he/she is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking as defined in the bill. Specifically, SB 1745 prohibits any person from discharging, refusing to hire or harass any individual, or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against any individual “because the individual is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.” Supporters of the bill state that “the ability to gain and keep a job is vital to the independence and recovery of victims” of domestic violence, while opponents of the bill claimed it would add new employer liability over issues over which an employer has no control. No word on whether the Governor will sign the bill.