2008 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1323<br /> – Human rights law, sexual orientatn

SENATE BILL NO. 1323

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Bill Status



S1323......................................................by STATE AFFAIRS
HUMAN RIGHTS - Amends existing law to expand the Human Rights Commission
authority to include sexual orientation or gender identity.

01/21    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
01/22    Rpt prt - to St Aff

Bill Text




                                                                       
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-ninth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2008

                                                                       

                                       IN THE SENATE

                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1323

                                 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION; AMENDING SECTION 67-5909, IDAHO CODE,
  3        TO EXPAND APPLICATION OF THE STATE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW; AND AMENDING  SECTION
  4        67-5910,  IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN ACTIONS SHALL NOT APPLY TO A
  5        RELIGIOUS CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION OR SOCIETY OR CERTAIN PROPERTY  OF  THE
  6        RELIGIOUS CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION  OR SOCIETY.

  7    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

  8        SECTION  1.  That  Section 67-5909, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  9    amended to read as follows:

 10        67-5909.  ACTS PROHIBITED. It shall be a prohibited  act  to  discriminate
 11    against  a person because of, or on a basis of, race, color, religion, sex, or
 12    national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity in any of the following
 13    subsections. It shall be a prohibited act to  discriminate  against  a  person
 14    because  of,  or  on the basis of, age in subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of
 15    this section. It shall be a prohibited act to discriminate  against  a  person
 16    because  of,  or  on the basis of, disability in subsections (1), (2), (3) and
 17    (4) of this section, provided  that  the  prohibition  against  discrimination
 18    because  of disability shall not apply if the particular disability, even with
 19    a reasonable accommodation, prevents the performance of the work  required  in
 20    that job, and in subsections (6), (8), (9), (10) and (11) of this section. The
 21    prohibition to discriminate shall also apply to those individuals without dis-
 22    abilities who are associated with a person with a disability.
 23        (1)  For an employer to fail or refuse to hire, to discharge, or to other-
 24    wise  discriminate  against  an individual with respect to compensation or the
 25    terms, conditions or privileges of employment or to reduce  the  wage  of  any
 26    employee in order to comply with this chapter;
 27        (2)  For  an  employment agency to fail or refuse to refer for employment,
 28    or otherwise to discriminate against an individual or to classify or refer  an
 29    individual for employment;
 30        (3)  For a labor organization:
 31        (a)  To  exclude or to expel from membership, or to otherwise discriminate
 32        against, a member or applicant for membership,
 33        (b)  To limit, segregate or classify membership, or to fail or  refuse  to
 34        refer for employment an individual in any way,
 35             1.  Which would deprive an individual of employment opportunities, or
 36             2.  Which  would  limit  employment opportunities or adversely affect
 37             the status of an employee or of an applicant for employment, or
 38        (c)  To cause or attempt to cause an employer to violate this chapter.
 39        (4)  For an employer labor organization or employment agency to  print  or
 40    publish or cause to be printed or published a notice or advertisement relating
 41    to employment by the employer or membership in or a classification or referral
 42    for  employment  by the labor organization, or relating to a classification or
 43    referral for employment by an employment agency, indicating a preference, lim-

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  1    itation, specification or discrimination; but a notice  or  advertisement  may
  2    indicate  a  preference limitation, specification, or discrimination when such
  3    is a bona fide occupational qualification for employment;
  4        (5)  For a person:
  5        (a)  To deny an individual the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, ser-
  6        vices, facilities, privileges, advantages and accommodations of a place of
  7        public accommodation, or
  8        (b)  To print, circulate, post, or mail or otherwise cause to be published
  9        a statement, advertisement or sign which indicates that the full and equal
 10        enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages of  a
 11        place of public accommodation will be refused, withheld from, or denied an
 12        individual  or that an individual's patronage of or presence at a place of
 13        public accommodation is objectionable, unwelcome, unacceptable,  or  unde-
 14        sirable.
 15        (6)  For  a person who owns, leases or operates a place of public accommo-
 16    dation:
 17        (a)  To deny an individual on the basis of disability the full  and  equal
 18        enjoyment  of  the  goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or
 19        accommodations of a place of public accommodation;
 20        (b)  To impose or apply eligibility criteria that screen out  or  tend  to
 21        screen  out  an  individual  with a disability or any class of individuals
 22        with disabilities from fully and equally  enjoying  any  goods,  services,
 23        facilities,  privileges, advantages or accommodations of a place of public
 24        accommodation, unless such criteria can be shown to be necessary  for  the
 25        provision  of  the  goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or
 26        accommodations being offered;
 27        (c)  To fail to make reasonable  modifications in policies, practices,  or
 28        procedures  when  such  modifications  are necessary to afford such goods,
 29        services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations  to  indi-
 30        viduals  with  disabilities, unless the entity can demonstrate that making
 31        such modifications would fundamentally alter the  nature  of  such  goods,
 32        services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations;
 33        (d)  To  fail  to  take  such  steps as may be necessary to ensure that no
 34        individual with a disability is excluded, denied services,  segregated  or
 35        otherwise  treated  differently  than  other  individuals  because  of the
 36        absence of auxiliary aids and services, unless the entity can  demonstrate
 37        that  taking such steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods,
 38        services, facilities,  privileges,  advantages,  or  accommodations  being
 39        offered or would result in an undue burden;
 40        (e)  To  fail  to remove architectural barriers and communication barriers
 41        that are structural in nature, in existing facilities  and  transportation
 42        barriers  in  existing  vehicles used by an establishment for transporting
 43        individuals (not including barriers  that  can  only  be  removed  through
 44        retrofitting of vehicles), where such removal is readily achievable; or
 45        (f)  Where  an  entity can demonstrate that the removal of a barrier under
 46        paragraph (e) of this subsection is not readily  achievable,  to  fail  to
 47        make  such goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommo-
 48        dations available through alternative methods if such methods are  readily
 49        achievable.
 50        (7)  For an educational institution:
 51        (a)  To  exclude, expel, limit, or otherwise discriminate against an indi-
 52        vidual seeking admission as a student or an individual enrolled as a  stu-
 53        dent in the terms, conditions, and privileges of the institution, or
 54        (b)  To  make  or use a written or oral inquiry or form of application for
 55        admission that elicits or attempts to elicit information, or  to  make  or

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  1        keep  a  record, of an applicant for admission, except as permitted by the
  2        regulations of the commission,
  3        (c)  To print or publish or cause to be printed or published  a  catalogue
  4        or  other  notice  or  advertisement  indicating a preference, limitation,
  5        specification, discrimination of an applicant for admission, or
  6        (d)  To announce or follow a policy of  denial  or  limitation  through  a
  7        quota or otherwise of educational opportunities of a group or its members.
  8        (8)  For  an  owner or any other person engaging in a real estate transac-
  9    tion, or for a real estate broker or salesman:
 10        (a)  To refuse to engage in a real estate transaction with a person,
 11        (b)  To discriminate against a person in the terms, conditions  or  privi-
 12        leges  of  a real estate transaction or in the furnishing of facilities or
 13        services in connection therewith,
 14        (c)  To refuse to receive or to fail to transmit  a  bona  fide  offer  to
 15        engage in a real estate transaction from a person,
 16        (d)  To refuse to negotiate a real estate transaction with a person,
 17        (e)  To  represent  to  a  person  that real property is not available for
 18        inspection, sale, rental, or lease when in fact it is so available, or  to
 19        fail  to bring a property listing to his attention, or to refuse to permit
 20        him to inspect real property,
 21        (f)  To print, circulate, post or mail or  cause  to  be  so  published  a
 22        statement,  advertisement  or  sign, or to use a form of application for a
 23        real estate transaction, or to make a record or inquiry in connection with
 24        a prospective real estate transaction, which indicates, directly or  indi-
 25        rectly,  an  intent to make a limitation, specification, or discrimination
 26        with respect thereto,
 27        (g)  To offer, solicit, accept, use or retain a listing of  real  property
 28        with  the  understanding  that  a person may be discriminated against in a
 29        real estate transaction or in the furnishing of facilities or services  in
 30        connection therewith, or
 31        (h)  To  refuse  to  permit, at the expense of a person with a disability,
 32        reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to  be  occupied
 33        by such person if the modifications may be necessary to afford such person
 34        full  enjoyment  of  the premises. Provided, that in the case of a rental,
 35        the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do  so,  condition  permission
 36        for  a  modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior, exte-
 37        rior, or both, of the premises, to the condition that existed  before  the
 38        modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted. The provision for restor-
 39        ation shall be included in any lease or rental agreement.
 40        (9)  For  a person to whom application is made for financial assistance in
 41    connection with a real estate transaction or for the construction, rehabilita-
 42    tion, repair, maintenance, or improvement of real property, or  a  representa-
 43    tive of such a person:
 44        (a)  To discriminate against the applicant,
 45        (b)  To  use  a form of application for financial assistance or to make or
 46        keep a record or inquiry in connection  with  applications  for  financial
 47        assistance  which  indicates  directly  or indirectly, an intent to make a
 48        limitation, specification, or discrimination.
 49        (10) To insert in a written instrument relating to real property a  provi-
 50    sion  which  purports to forbid or restrict the conveyance, encumbrance, occu-
 51    pancy or lease thereof;
 52        (11) For a person for the purpose of inducing a  real  estate  transaction
 53    from which he may benefit financially:
 54        (a)  To  represent  that a change has occurred or will or may occur in the
 55        composition of the owners or occupants in the block, neighborhood, or area

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  1        in which the real property is located, or
  2        (b)  To represent that this change will or may result in the  lowering  of
  3        property    values,  an  increase in criminal or antisocial behavior, or a
  4        decline in the quality of schools in the block, neighborhood, or  area  in
  5        which the real property is located.

  6        SECTION  2.  That  Section 67-5910, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  7    amended to read as follows:

  8        67-5910.  LIMITATIONS. (1) This chapter does not apply to a religious cor-
  9    poration, association, or society with respect to the employment of  individu-
 10    als of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by
 11    the corporation, association, or society of its religious activities.
 12        (2)  It is not a discriminatory practice:
 13        (a)  For  an  employer  to  employ an employee, or an employment agency to
 14        classify or refer for employment an individual, for a  labor  organization
 15        to classify its membership or to classify or refer for employment an indi-
 16        vidual,  or for an employer, labor organization, or joint labor-management
 17        committee controlling an apprenticeship or other  training  or  retraining
 18        program,  on  the  basis  of his religion, sex, national origin, or age if
 19        religion, sex, national origin, or age is a bona fide occupational  quali-
 20        fication  reasonably  necessary to the normal operation of the business or
 21        enterprise, or
 22        (b)  For an employer, employment agency, or labor organization to  observe
 23        the  terms of a bona fide seniority system or any bona fide employee bene-
 24        fit plan such as a retirement, pension, or insurance plan, which is not  a
 25        subterfuge  to  evade  the  purposes  of this chapter, except that no such
 26        employee benefit plan shall excuse the failure to hire any individual, and
 27        no such seniority system or employee benefit plan shall require or  permit
 28        involuntary  retirement  of  any individual specified in subsection (9) of
 29        this section because of the age of such individual; however, the  prohibi-
 30        tion  against  age  discrimination  contained in this chapter shall not be
 31        construed to prohibit compulsory retirement if such retirement is  permit-
 32        ted under the terms of 29 U.S.C., section 631(c)(1) and (2), or
 33        (c)  For  a  religious educational institution or an educational organiza-
 34        tion to limit employment or give preference to members of the  same  reli-
 35        gion, or
 36        (d)  For an employer, employment agency, or labor organization to discrim-
 37        inate  against  a person with a disability which, under the circumstances,
 38        poses a direct threat to the health or safety of the person  with  a  dis-
 39        ability  or  others.   The  burden  of  proving  this  defense is upon the
 40        employer, labor organization, or employment agency.
 41        (3)  Nothing in this chapter shall require a person who  owns,  leases  or
 42    operates  a place of public accommodation, to permit an individual with a dis-
 43    ability to participate in or benefit from  the  goods,  services,  facilities,
 44    privileges,  advantages  and accommodations of such place of public accommoda-
 45    tion, where such individual poses a direct threat to the health or  safety  of
 46    others. The burden of proving this defense is upon the person who owns, leases
 47    or operates a place of public accommodation.
 48        (4)  This chapter does not apply to a private club, or other establishment
 49    not in fact open to the public, except to the extent that the goods, services,
 50    facilities,  privileges, advantages or accommodations of the establishment are
 51    made available to the customers or patrons of another establishment that is  a
 52    place of public accommodation.
 53        (5)  The provisions of section 67-5909(6), Idaho Code, do not apply to:

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  1        (a)  Any agency of or any governmental entity within the state; or
  2        (b)  Religious organizations or entities controlled by religious organiza-
  3        tions, including places of worship.
  4        (6)  Notwithstanding  any  other  provisions  of this chapter, it is not a
  5    discriminatory practice for:
  6        (a)  A religious educational institution  or  an  educational  institution
  7        operated,  supervised, or controlled by a religious institution or organi-
  8        zation to limit admission or give preference to  applicants  of  the  same
  9        religion, or
 10        (b)  An educational institution to accept and administer an inter vivos or
 11        testamentary gift upon the terms and conditions prescribed by the donor.
 12        (7)  The provisions of section 67-5909(8), Idaho Code, do not apply:
 13        (a)  To the rental of a housing accommodation in a building which contains
 14        housing  accommodations for not more than two (2) families living indepen-
 15        dently of each other, if the lessor or a member of his family  resides  in
 16        one (1) of the housing accommodations, or
 17        (b)  To  the  rental  of  a room or rooms in a housing accommodation by an
 18        individual if he or a member of his family resides therein.
 19        (8)  It is not a discriminatory practice for a  religious  institution  or
 20    organization  or a charitable or educational organization operated, supervised
 21    or controlled by a religious institution or organization to give preference to
 22    members of the same religion in a real property transaction.
 23        (9)  The prohibitions against discrimination based  on  age  contained  in
 24    this chapter shall be limited to individuals who are at least forty (40) years
 25    of age.
 26        (10) The  provisions of section 67-5909, Idaho Code, relating to discrimi-
 27    nation because of, or on a basis of, sexual orientation or gender identity  do
 28    not apply to any religious corporation, association or society, or property of
 29    the  religious corporation, association or society used primarily for, or held
 30    for the benefit of, religious purposes.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                            RS 17673C1

Currently in Idaho a person can be fired from their job simply
because they are gay or because someone thinks they are gay.  Idaho
Human Rights Statutes create fair employment policy for the state
of Idaho based on gender, religion, race, age and other
classifications.  Disability was added to the statute in 2005. 
These statutes also protect people from discrimination in housing
and education.

This legislation will end decades of discrimination against men and
women in every part of Idaho and set a tone for the state making
clear that it is wrong to fire someone from a job, refuse to
promote or fairly compensate someone, for no other reason than that
they are gay.  This legislation will also support fair treatment of
students in Idaho schools and universities and ensure some access
for gay people to rental housing and public accommodation.

There are limitations to this protection. Only businesses with five
or more employees must comply with the Human Rights Act.  Rental
units that are not simply duplex accommodations must comply.  This
act does not apply to roommate rental situations.  

Additionally, religious corporations, associations and societies
are excluded.




                           FISCAL NOTE
None.






Contact
Name: Senator Tim Corder 
Senator David Langhorst
Senator Chuck Coiner
Representative Nicole LeFavour
Representative Les Bock
Representative Carlos Bilbao
Phone: 724-0468


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                        S 1323   


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