Text of AL HB 615 (2015)

1 HB615 2 168827-1 3 By Representatives England, Melton and Hall 4 RFD: Judiciary 5 First Read: 05-MAY-15 Page 0 1 168827-1:n:05/05/2015:KMS/cj LRS2015-1906 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SYNOPSIS: This bill would provide that the right of a 9 person to be free from discrimination because of 10 race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual 11 orientation, gender identity, disability, or 12 familial status is a civil right and would provide 13 remedies for violations. 14 15 A BILL 16 TO BE ENTITLED 17 AN ACT 18 19 Relating to civil rights; to provide that the right 20 of a person to be free from discrimination because of race, 21 color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, 22 gender identity, disability, or familial status is a civil 23 right; and to provide remedies for violations. 24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: 25 Section 1. For the purposes of this act, the 26 following terms shall have the following meanings: Page 1 1 (1) BECAUSE OF SEX. Includes, but is not limited to, 2 on account of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical 3 conditions. 4 (2) COMPENSATORY DAMAGES. Damages for mental 5 anguish, loss of dignity, and other intangible injuries. The 6 term does not include punitive damages. 7 (3) DISABILITY. A physical or mental impairment that 8 substantially limits a major life function. The term does not 9 include any of the following: 10 a. Compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania. 11 b. Current use of illegal drugs or psychoactive 12 substance use disorders resulting from illegal use of drugs. 13 c. Alcoholism. 14 (4) EMPLOYEE. Does not include any of the following: 15 a. Any individual employed by his or her parents, 16 spouse, or child. 17 b. An individual participating in a specialized 18 employment training program conducted by a nonprofit sheltered 19 workshop or rehabilitation facility. 20 c. An individual employed outside of this state. 21 (5) EMPLOYER. A person who employs nine or more 22 employees in the state each of 20 or more calendar weeks in 23 the current or preceding calendar year, or any agent of such 24 person. 25 (6) GENDER IDENTITY. The actual or perceived gender 26 related identity, expression, appearance, or mannerisms or Page 2 1 other gender related characteristics of an individual, 2 regardless of the designated sex at birth of the individual. 3 (7) NATIONAL ORIGIN. An individual's or his or her 4 ancestor's place of origin. 5 (8) PLACE OF PUBLIC RESORT, ACCOMMODATION, 6 ASSEMBLAGE, OR AMUSEMENT. Any place, store, or other 7 establishment, either licensed or unlicensed, that supplies 8 accommodations, goods, or services to the general public, or 9 that solicits or accepts the patronage or trade of the general 10 public, or that is supported directly or indirectly by 11 government funds. The term does not include any of the 12 following: 13 a. Any lodging establishment which contains not more 14 than five rooms for rent and which is actually occupied by the 15 proprietor of such establishment as a residence. 16 b. Any private club or other establishment not in 17 fact open to the public. 18 c. House of worship. 19 (9) RELIGION. All aspects of religious belief, 20 observance, and practice. 21 (10) SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Actual or perceived 22 homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality. 23 Section 2. (a) The right of an otherwise qualified 24 person to be free from discrimination because of race, color, 25 religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender 26 identity, disability, or familial status is recognized as and Page 3 1 declared to be a civil right. This right shall include, but 2 not be limited to, all of the following: 3 (1) The right to obtain and hold employment without 4 discrimination. 5 (2) The right to the full enjoyment of any of the 6 accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of any 7 place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or 8 amusement. 9 (3) The right to engage in property transactions, 10 including to obtain housing, without discrimination. 11 (4) The right to engage in credit and other 12 contractual transactions without discrimination. 13 (5) The right to vote and participate fully in the 14 political process. 15 (b) Any person who is injured by an intentional act 16 of discrimination in violation of subdivisions (2) to (5), 17 inclusive, of subsection (a) may file a civil action in a 18 court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin further violations, 19 to recover compensatory and punitive damages, and, in the 20 discretion of the court, to recover the cost of litigation and 21 reasonable attorneys fees. 22 (c)(1)a. Any individual who is injured by employment 23 discrimination by an employer in violation of subdivision (1) 24 of subsection (a) may file a civil action in a court of 25 competent jurisdiction, which may issue an order prohibiting 26 the discriminatory practices and provide affirmative relief 27 from the effects of the practices, and award back pay, Page 4 1 interest on back pay, and, in the discretion of the court, the 2 cost of litigation and reasonable attorneys fees. 3 b. No liability for back pay shall accrue from a 4 date more than two years before the filing of an action. 5 (2) In addition to the remedies under paragraph a. 6 of subdivision (1), any individual who is injured by 7 intentional discrimination by an employer in violation of 8 subdivision (1) of subsection (a) shall be entitled to recover 9 compensatory damages and punitive damages. 10 (d) Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) does not apply 11 to the employment of an individual of a particular religion by 12 a religious corporation, association, or society to perform 13 work connected with the performance of religious activities by 14 the corporation, association, or society. 15 (e) This act may not be construed to limit any other 16 remedies available under law. 17 Section 3. This act shall become effective on the 18 first day of the third month following its passage and 19 approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law. Page 5