Text of KS SB 285 (2006)
AN ACT concerning discrimination; relating to sexual orientation; amending K.S.A. 44-1001, 44-1002, 44-1004, 44-1005, 44-1006, 44-1009, 44-1016, 44-1017, 44-1027 and 44-1030 and r…
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As introduced
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Session of 2005
SENATE BILL No. 285
By Committee on Federal and State Affairs
3-2
AN ACT concerning discrimination; relating to sexual orientation;
amending K.S.A. 44-1001, 44-1002, 44-1004, 44-1005, 44-1006, 44-
1009, 44-1015, 44-1016, 44-1017, 44-1027 and 44-1030 and repealing
the existing sections.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1.
K.S.A. 44-1001 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1001. This act shall be known as the Kansas act against discrimination. It
shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the state for the
protection of the public welfare, safety, health and peace of the people
of this state. The practice or policy of discrimination against individuals
in employment relations, in relation to free and public accommodations,
in housing by reason of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin
or, ancestry or sexual orientation or in housing by reason of familial status
is a matter of concern to the state, since such discrimination threatens
not only the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the state of Kansas
but menaces the institutions and foundations of a free democratic state.
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Kansas to eliminate
and prevent discrimination in all employment relations, to eliminate and
prevent discrimination, segregation, or separation in all places of public
accommodations covered by this act, and to eliminate and prevent dis-
crimination, segregation or separation in housing.
It is also declared to be the policy of this state to assure equal oppor-
tunities and encouragement to every citizen regardless of race, religion,
color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation, in
securing and holding, without discrimination, employment in any field of
work or labor for which a person is properly qualified, to assure equal
opportunities to all persons within this state to full and equal public ac-
commodations, and to assure equal opportunities in housing without dis-
tinction on account of race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status,
national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation. It is further declared
that the opportunity to secure and to hold employment, the opportunity
for full and equal public accommodations as covered by this act and the
opportunity for full and equal housing are civil rights of every citizen.
To protect these rights, it is hereby declared to be the purpose of this
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SB 285
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act to establish and to provide a state commission having power to elim-
inate and prevent segregation and discrimination, or separation in em-
ployment, in all places of public accommodations covered by this act, in
housing because of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or,
ancestry or sexual orientation and in housing because of familial status,
either by employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, realtors,
financial institutions or other persons as hereinafter provided.
Sec. 2.
K.S.A. 44-1002 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1002. When used in this act:
(a)
‘‘Person’’ includes one or more individuals, partnerships, associ-
ations, organizations, corporations, legal representatives, trustees, trus-
tees in bankruptcy or receivers.
(b)
‘‘Employer’’ includes any person in this state employing four or
more persons and any person acting directly or indirectly for an employer,
labor organizations, nonsectarian corporations, organizations engaged in
social service work and the state of Kansas and all political and municipal
subdivisions thereof, but shall not include a nonprofit fraternal or social
association or corporation.
(c)
‘‘Employee’’ does not include any individual employed by such
individual’s parents, spouse or child or in the domestic service of any
person.
(d)
‘‘Labor organization’’ includes any organization which exists for
the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, of dealing with
employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment or
of other mutual aid or protection in relation to employment.
(e)
‘‘Employment agency’’ includes any person or governmental
agency undertaking, with or without compensation, to procure opportu-
nities to work or to procure, recruit, refer or place employees.
(f)
‘‘Commission’’ means the Kansas human rights commission cre-
ated by this act.
(g)
‘‘Unlawful employment practice’’ includes only those unlawful
practices and acts specified in K.S.A. 44-1009, and amendments thereto,
and includes segregate or separate.
(h)
‘‘Public accommodations’’ means any person who caters or offers
goods, services, facilities and accommodations to the public. Public ac-
commodations include, but are not limited to, any lodging establishment
or food service establishment, as defined by K.S.A 36-501 and amend-
ments thereto; any bar, tavern, barbershop, beauty parlor, theater, skating
rink, bowling alley, billiard parlor, amusement park, recreation park,
swimming pool, lake, gymnasium, mortuary or cemetery which is open
to the public; or any public transportation facility. Public accommodations
do not include a religious or nonprofit fraternal or social association or
corporation.
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(i)
‘‘Unlawful discriminatory practice’’ means: (1) Any discrimination
against persons, by reason of their race, religion, color, sex, disability,
national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation:
(A)
In any place of public accommodations; or
(B)
in the full and equal use and enjoyment of the services, facilities,
privileges and advantages of any institution, department or agency of the
state of Kansas or any political subdivision or municipality thereof; and
(2)
any discrimination against persons in regard to membership in a
nonprofit recreational or social association or corporation by reason of
race, religion, sex, color, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual
orientation if such association or corporation has 100 or more members
and: (A) Provides regular meal service; and (B) receives payment for dues,
fees, use of space, use of facility, services, meals or beverages, directly or
indirectly, from or on behalf of nonmembers.
This term shall not apply to a religious or private fraternal and benev-
olent association or corporation.
(j)
‘‘Disability’’ means, with respect to an individual:
(1)
A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or
more of the major life activities of such individual;
(2)
a record of such an impairment; or
(3)
being regarded as having such an impairment by the person or
entity alleged to have committed the unlawful discriminatory practice
complained of.
Disability does not include current, illegal use of a controlled substance
as defined in section 102 of the federal controlled substance act (21
U.S.C. 802), in housing discrimination. In employment and public accom-
modation discrimination, ‘‘disability’’ does not include an individual who
is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs where possession or dis-
tribution of such drugs is unlawful under the controlled substance act (21
U.S.C. 812), when the covered entity acts on the basis of such use.
(k)
‘‘Reasonable accommodation’’ means:
(1)
Making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to
and usable by individuals with disabilities; and
(2)
job restructuring; part-time or modified work schedules; reassign-
ment to a vacant position; acquisition or modification of equipment or
devices; appropriate adjustment or modifications of examinations, train-
ing materials or policies; provision of qualified readers or interpreters;
and other similar accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
(l)
‘‘Regarded as having such an impairment’’ means the absence of
a physical or mental impairment but regarding or treating an individual
as though such an impairment exists.
(m)
‘‘Genetic screening or testing’’ means a laboratory test of a per-
son’s genes or chromosomes for abnormalities, defects or deficiencies,
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including carrier status, that are linked to physical or mental disorders or
impairments, or that indicate a susceptibility to illness, disease or other
disorders, whether physical or mental, which test is a direct test for ab-
normalities, defects or deficiencies, and not an indirect manifestation of
genetic disorders.
(n)
‘‘Sexual orientation’’ means actual or perceived heterosexuality,
homosexuality or bisexuality.
Sec. 3.
K.S.A. 44-1004 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1004. The commission shall have the following functions, powers and
duties:
(1)
To establish and maintain its principal office in the city of Topeka,
and such other offices elsewhere within the state as it may deem
necessary.
(2)
To meet and function at any place within the state.
(3)
To adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind suitable rules and reg-
ulations to carry out the provisions of this act, and the policies and prac-
tices of the commission in connection therewith.
(4)
To receive, initiate, investigate and pass upon complaints alleging
discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing be-
cause of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry
or sexual orientation and complaints alleging discrimination in housing
because of familial status.
(5)
To subpoena witnesses, compel their appearance and require the
production for examination of records, documents and other evidence or
possible sources of evidence and to examine, record and copy such ma-
terials and take and record the testimony or statements of such persons.
The commission may issue subpoenas to compel access to or the pro-
duction of such materials, or the appearance of such persons, and may
issue interrogatories to a respondent to the same extent and subject to
the same limitations as would apply if the subpoena or interrogatories
were issued or served in aid of a civil action in the district court. The
commission shall have access at all reasonable times to premises and may
compel such access by application to a court of competent jurisdiction
provided that the commission first complies with the provisions of article
15 of the Kansas bill of rights and the fourth amendment to the United
States constitution relating to unreasonable searches and seizures. The
commission may administer oaths and take depositions to the same extent
and subject to the same limitations as would apply if the deposition was
taken in aid of a civil action in the district court. In case of the refusal of
any person to comply with any subpoena, interrogatory or search warrant
issued hereunder, or to testify to any matter regarding which such person
may be lawfully questioned, the district court of any county may, upon
application of the commission, order such person to comply with such
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subpoena or interrogatory and to testify. Failure to obey the court’s order
may be punished by the court as contempt. No person shall be prosecuted
or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any trans-
action, matter or thing concerning which such person testifies or produces
evidence, except that such person so testifying shall not be exempt from
prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying. The
immunity herein provided shall extend only to natural persons.
(6)
To act in concert with other parties in interest in order to elimi-
nate and prevent discrimination and segregation, prohibited by this act,
by including any term in a conciliation agreement as could be included
in a final order under this act.
(7)
To apply to the district court of the county where the respondent
resides or transacts business for enforcement of any conciliation agree-
ment by seeking specific performance of such agreement.
(8)
To issue such final orders after a public hearing as may remedy
any existing situation found to violate this act and prevent its recurrence.
(9)
To endeavor to eliminate prejudice among the various ethnic
groups and people with disabilities in this state and to further good will
among such groups. The commission in cooperation with the state de-
partment of education shall prepare a comprehensive educational pro-
gram designed for the students of the public schools of this state and for
all other residents thereof, calculated to emphasize the origin of prejudice
against such groups, its harmful effects and its incompatibility with Amer-
ican principles of equality and fair play.
(10)
To create such advisory agencies and conciliation councils, local,
regional or statewide, as in its judgment will aid in effectuating the pur-
poses of this act; to study the problem of discrimination in all or specific
fields or instances of discrimination because of race, religion, color, sex,
disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation; to foster,
through community effort or otherwise, good will, cooperation and con-
ciliation among the groups and elements of the population of this state;
and to make recommendations to the commission for the development
of policies and procedures, and for programs of formal and informal ed-
ucation, which the commission may recommend to the appropriate state
agency. Such advisory agencies and conciliation councils shall be com-
posed of representative citizens serving without pay. The commission may
itself make the studies and perform the acts authorized by this paragraph.
It may, by voluntary conferences with parties in interest, endeavor by
conciliation and persuasion to eliminate discrimination in all the stated
fields and to foster good will and cooperation among all elements of the
population of the state.
(11)
To accept contributions from any person to assist in the effec-
tuation of this section and to seek and enlist the cooperation of private,
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charitable, religious, labor, civic and benevolent organizations for the pur-
poses of this section.
(12)
To issue such publications and such results of investigation and
research as in its judgment will tend to promote good will and minimize
or eliminate discrimination because of race, religion, color, sex, disability,
national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation.
(13)
To render each year to the governor and to the state legislature
a full written report of all of its activities and of its recommendations.
(14)
To adopt an official seal.
(15)
To receive and accept federal funds to effectuate the purposes
of the act and to enter into agreements with any federal agency for such
purpose.
Sec. 4.
K.S.A. 44-1005 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1005. (a) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful
employment practice or by an alleged unlawful discriminatory practice,
and who can articulate a prima facie case pursuant to a recognized legal
theory of discrimination, may, personally or by an attorney-at-law, make,
sign and file with the commission a verified complaint in writing, artic-
ulating the prima facie case, which shall also state the name and address
of the person, employer, labor organization or employment agency al-
leged to have committed the unlawful employment practice complained
of or the name and address of the person alleged to have committed the
unlawful discriminatory practice complained of, and which shall set forth
the particulars thereof and contain such other information as may be
required by the commission.
(b)
The commission upon its own initiative or the attorney general
may, in like manner, make, sign and file such complaint. Whenever the
attorney general has sufficient reason to believe that any person as herein
defined is engaged in a practice of discrimination, segregation or sepa-
ration in violation of this act, the attorney general may make, sign and
file a complaint. Any employer whose employees or some of whom, refuse
or threaten to refuse to cooperate with the provisions of this act, may file
with the commission a verified complaint asking for assistance by concil-
iation or other remedial action.
(c)
Whenever any problem of discrimination because of race, relig-
ion, color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation
arises, or whenever the commission has, in its own judgment, reason to
believe that any person has engaged in an unlawful employment practice
or an unlawful discriminatory practice in violation of this act, or has en-
gaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination, the commission may
conduct an investigation without filing a complaint and shall have the
same powers during such investigation as provided for the investigation
of complaints. The person to be investigated shall be advised of the nature
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and scope of such investigation prior to its commencement. The purpose
of the investigation shall be to resolve any such problems promptly. In
the event such problems cannot be resolved within a reasonable time, the
commission may issue a complaint whenever the investigation has re-
vealed a violation of the Kansas act against discrimination has occurred.
The information gathered in the course of the first investigation may be
used in processing the complaint.
(d)
After the filing of any complaint by an aggrieved individual, by
the commission, or by the attorney general, the commission shall, within
seven days after the filing of the complaint, serve a copy on each of the
parties alleged to have violated this act, and shall designate one of the
commissioners to make, with the assistance of the commission’s staff,
prompt investigation of the alleged act of discrimination. If the commis-
sioner shall determine after such investigation that no probable cause
exists for crediting the allegations of the complaint, such commissioner,
within 10 business days from such determination, shall cause to be issued
and served upon the complainant and respondent written notice of such
determination.
(e)
If such commissioner after such investigation, shall determine that
probable cause exists for crediting the allegations for the complaint, the
commissioner or such other commissioner as the commission may des-
ignate, shall immediately endeavor to eliminate the unlawful employment
practice or the unlawful discriminatory practice complained of by con-
ference and conciliation. The complainant, respondent and commission
shall have 45 days from the date respondent is notified in writing of a
finding of probable cause to enter into a conciliation agreement signed
by all parties in interest. The parties may amend a conciliation agreement
at any time prior to the date of entering into such agreement. Upon
agreement by the parties the time for entering into such agreement may
be extended. The members of the commission and its staff shall not dis-
close what has transpired in the course of such endeavors.
(f)
In case of failure to eliminate such practices by conference and
conciliation, or in advance thereof, if in the judgment of the commissioner
or the commission circumstances so warrant, the commissioner or the
commission shall commence a hearing in accordance with the provisions
of the Kansas administrative procedure act naming as parties the com-
plainant and the person, employer, labor organization, employment
agency, realtor or financial institution named in such complaint, herein-
after referred to as respondent. A copy of the complaint shall be served
on the respondent. At least four commissioners, a staff hearing examiner
or a contract hearing examiner shall be designated as the presiding officer.
The place of such hearing shall be in the county where respondent is
doing business and the acts complained of occurred.
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(g)
The complainant or respondent may apply to the presiding officer
for the issuance of a subpoena for the attendance of any person or the
production or examination of any books, records or documents pertinent
to the proceeding at the hearing. Upon such application the presiding
officer shall issue such subpoena.
(h)
The case in support of the complaint shall be presented before
the presiding officer by one of the commission’s attorneys or agents, or
by private counsel, if any, of the complainant, and the commissioner who
shall have previously made the investigation shall not participate in the
hearing except as a witness. Any endeavors at conciliation shall not be
received in evidence.
(i)
Any complaint filed pursuant to this act must be so filed within six
months after the alleged act of discrimination, unless the act complained
of constitutes a continuing pattern or practice of discrimination in which
event it will be from the last act of discrimination. Complaints filed with
the commission on or after July 1, 1996, may be dismissed by the com-
mission on its own initiative, and shall be dismissed by the commission
upon the written request of the complainant, if the commission has not
issued a finding of probable cause or no probable cause or taken other
administrative action dismissing the complaint within 300 days of the
filing of the complaint. The commission shall mail written notice to all
parties of dismissal of a complaint within five days of dismissal. Com-
plaints filed with the commission before July 1, 1996, shall be dismissed
by the commission upon the written request of the complainant, if the
commission has not issued a finding of probable cause or no probable
cause or taken other administrative action dismissing the complaint within
300 days of the filing of the complaint. Any such dismissal of a complaint
in accordance with this section shall constitute final action by the com-
mission which shall be deemed to exhaust all administrative remedies
under the Kansas act against discrimination for the purpose of allowing
subsequent filing of the matter in court by the complainant, without the
requirement of filing a petition for reconsideration pursuant to K.S.A. 44-
1010 and amendments thereto. Dismissal of a complaint in accordance
with this section shall not be subject to appeal or judicial review by any
court under the provisions of K.S.A. 44-1011 and amendments thereto.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to complaints alleging dis-
criminatory housing practices filed with the commission pursuant to
K.S.A. 44-1015 et seq. and amendments thereto.
(j)
The respondent may file a written verified answer to the complaint
and appear at such hearing in person or otherwise, with or without coun-
sel, and submit testimony. The complainant shall appear at such hearing
in person, with or without counsel, and submit testimony. The presiding
officer or the complainant shall have the power reasonably and fairly to
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amend any complaint, and the respondent shall have like power to amend
such respondent’s answer. The presiding officer shall be bound by the
rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity, and only relevant
evidence of reasonable probative value shall be received.
(k)
If the presiding officer finds a respondent has engaged in or is
engaging in any unlawful employment practice or unlawful discriminatory
practice as defined in this act, the presiding officer shall render an order
requiring such respondent to cease and desist from such unlawful em-
ployment practice or such unlawful discriminatory practice and to take
such affirmative action, including but not limited to the hiring, reinstate-
ment, or upgrading of employees, with or without back pay, and the ad-
mission or restoration to membership in any respondent labor organiza-
tions; the admission to and full and equal enjoyment of the goods,
services, facilities, and accommodations offered by any respondent place
of public accommodation denied in violation of this act, as, in the judg-
ment of the presiding officer, will effectuate the purposes of this act, and
including a requirement for report of the manner of compliance. Such
order may also include an award of damages for pain, suffering and hu-
miliation which are incidental to the act of discrimination, except that an
award for such pain, suffering and humiliation shall in no event exceed
the sum of $2,000.
(l)
Any state, county or municipal agency may pay a complainant back
pay if it has entered into a conciliation agreement for such purposes with
the commission, and may pay such back pay if it is ordered to do so by
the commission.
(m)
If the presiding officer finds that a respondent has not engaged
in any such unlawful employment practice, or any such unlawful discrim-
inatory practice, the presiding officer shall render an order dismissing the
complaint as to such respondent.
(n)
The commission shall review an initial order rendered under sub-
section (k) or (m). In addition to the parties, a copy of any final order
shall be served on the attorney general and such other public officers as
the commission may deem proper.
(o)
The commission shall, except as otherwise provided, establish
rules of practice to govern, expedite and effectuate the foregoing proce-
dure and its own actions thereunder. The rules of practice shall be avail-
able, upon written request, within 30 days after the date of adoption.
Sec. 5.
K.S.A. 44-1006 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1006. (a) The provisions of this act shall be construed liberally for the
accomplishment of the purposes thereof. Nothing contained in this act
shall be deemed to repeal any of the provisions of any other law of this
state relating to discrimination because of race, religion, color, sex, disa-
bility, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation, unless the same
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is specifically repealed by this act.
(b)
Nothing in this act shall be construed to mean that an employer
shall be forced to hire unqualified or incompetent personnel, or discharge
qualified or competent personnel.
Sec. 6.
K.S.A. 44-1009 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1009. (a) It shall be an unlawful employment practice:
(1)
For an employer, because of the race, religion, color, sex, disa-
bility, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation of any person to
refuse to hire or employ such person to bar or discharge such person
from employment or to otherwise discriminate against such person in
compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment; to
limit, segregate, separate, classify or make any distinction in regards to
employees; or to follow any employment procedure or practice which, in
fact, results in discrimination, segregation or separation without a valid
business necessity.
(2)
For a labor organization, because of the race, religion, color, sex,
disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation of any person,
to exclude or to expel from its membership such person or to discriminate
in any way against any of its members or against any employer or any
person employed by an employer.
(3)
For any employer, employment agency or labor organization to
print or circulate or cause to be printed or circulated any statement,
advertisement or publication, or to use any form of application for em-
ployment or membership or to make any inquiry in connection with pro-
spective employment or membership, which expresses, directly or indi-
rectly, any limitation, specification or discrimination as to race, religion,
color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation, or
any intent to make any such limitation, specification or discrimination,
unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification.
(4)
For any employer, employment agency or labor organization to
discharge, expel or otherwise discriminate against any person because
such person has opposed any practices or acts forbidden under this act
or because such person has filed a complaint, testified or assisted in any
proceeding under this act.
(5)
For an employment agency to refuse to list and properly classify
for employment or to refuse to refer any person for employment or oth-
erwise discriminate against any person because of such person’s race,
religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual ori-
entation; or to comply with a request from an employer for a referral of
applicants for employment if the request expresses, either directly or
indirectly, any limitation, specification or discrimination as to race, relig-
ion, color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation.
(6)
For an employer, labor organization, employment agency, or
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school which provides, coordinates or controls apprenticeship, on-the-job,
or other training or retraining program, to maintain a practice of discrim-
ination, segregation or separation because of race, religion, color, sex,
disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation, in admission,
hiring, assignments, upgrading, transfers, promotion, layoff, dismissal, ap-
prenticeship or other training or retraining program, or in any other
terms, conditions or privileges of employment, membership, apprentice-
ship or training; or to follow any policy or procedure which, in fact, results
in such practices without a valid business motive.
(7)
For any person, whether an employer or an employee or not, to
aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the doing of any of the acts forbidden
under this act, or attempt to do so.
(8)
For an employer, labor organization, employment agency or joint
labor-management committee to: (A) Limit, segregate or classify a job
applicant or employee in a way that adversely affects the opportunities or
status of such applicant or employee because of the disability of such
applicant or employee; (B) participate in a contractual or other arrange-
ment or relationship, including a relationship with an employment or
referral agency, labor union, an organization providing fringe benefits to
an employee or an organization providing training and apprenticeship
programs that has the effect of subjecting a qualified applicant or em-
ployee with a disability to the discrimination prohibited by this act; (C)
utilize standards criteria, or methods of administration that have the effect
of discrimination on the basis of disability or that perpetuate the discrim-
ination of others who are subject to common administrative control; (D)
exclude or otherwise deny equal jobs or benefits to a qualified individual
because of the known disability of an individual with whom the qualified
individual is known to have a relationship or association; (E) not make
reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations
of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant
or employee, unless such employer, labor organization, employment
agency or joint labor-management committee can demonstrate that the
accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the
business thereof; (F) deny employment opportunities to a job applicant
or employee who is an otherwise qualified individual with a disability, if
such denial is based on the need to make reasonable accommodation to
the physical or mental impairments of the employee or applicant; (G) use
qualification standards, employment tests or other selection criteria that
screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability or a class
of individuals with disabilities unless the standard, test or other selection
criteria, as used, is shown to be job-related for the position in question
and is consistent with business necessity; or (H) fail to select and admin-
ister tests concerning employment in the most effective manner to ensure
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that, when such test is administered to a job applicant or employee who
has a disability that impairs sensory, manual or speaking skills, the test
results accurately reflect the skills, aptitude or whatever other factor of
such applicant or employee that such test purports to measure, rather
than reflecting the impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills of such
employee or applicant (except where such skills are the factors that the
test purports to measure).
(9)
For any employer to:
(A)
Seek to obtain, to obtain or to use genetic screening or testing
information of an employee or a prospective employee to distinguish be-
tween or discriminate against or restrict any right or benefit otherwise
due or available to an employee or a prospective employee; or
(B)
subject, directly or indirectly, any employee or prospective em-
ployee to any genetic screening or test.
(b)
It shall not be an unlawful employment practice to fill vacancies
in such way as to eliminate or reduce imbalance with respect to race,
religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual
orientation.
(c)
It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice:
(1)
For any person, as defined herein being the owner, operator, les-
see, manager, agent or employee of any place of public accommodation
to refuse, deny or make a distinction, directly or indirectly, in offering its
goods, services, facilities, and accommodations to any person as covered
by this act because of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin
or, ancestry or sexual orientation, except where a distinction because of
sex is necessary because of the intrinsic nature of such accommodation.
(2)
For any person, whether or not specifically enjoined from dis-
criminating under any provisions of this act, to aid, abet, incite, compel
or coerce the doing of any of the acts forbidden under this act, or to
attempt to do so.
(3)
For any person, to refuse, deny, make a distinction, directly or
indirectly, or discriminate in any way against persons because of the race,
religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual ori-
entation of such persons in the full and equal use and enjoyment of the
services, facilities, privileges and advantages of any institution, depart-
ment or agency of the state of Kansas or any political subdivision or mu-
nicipality thereof.
Sec. 7.
K.S.A. 44-1015 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1015. As used in this act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a)
‘‘Commission’’ means the Kansas human rights commission.
(b)
‘‘Real property’’ means and includes:
(1)
All vacant or unimproved land; and
(2)
any building or structure which is occupied or designed or in-
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tended for occupancy, or any building or structure having a portion
thereof which is occupied or designed or intended for occupancy.
(c)
‘‘Family’’ includes a single individual.
(d)
‘‘Person’’ means an individual, corporation, partnership, associa-
tion, labor organization, legal representative, mutual company, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization, trustee, trustee in bank-
ruptcy, receiver and fiduciary.
(e)
‘‘To rent’’ means to lease, to sublease, to let and otherwise to grant
for a consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the
occupant.
(f)
‘‘Discriminatory housing practice’’ means any act that is unlawful
under K.S.A. 44-1016, 44-1017 or 44-1026, and amendments thereto.
(g)
‘‘Person aggrieved’’ means any person who claims to have been
injured by a discriminatory housing practice or believes that such person
will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.
(h)
‘‘Disability’’ has the meaning provided by K.S.A. 44-1002, and
amendments thereto.
(i)
‘‘Familial status’’ means having one or more individuals less than
18 years of age domiciled with:
(1)
A parent or another person having legal custody of such individual
or individuals; or
(2)
the designee of such parent or other person having such custody,
with the written permission of such parent or other person.
(j)
‘‘Sexual orientation’’ has the meaning provided by K.S.A. 44-1002,
and amendments thereto.
Sec. 8.
K.S.A. 44-1016 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1016. Subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 44-1018 and amendments
thereto, it shall be unlawful for any person:
(a)
To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, to
fail to transmit a bona fide offer or refuse to negotiate in good faith for
the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, real property
to any person because of race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial
status, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation.
(b)
To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of real property, or in the provision of services
or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, religion, color, sex,
disability, familial status, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation.
(c)
To make, print, publish, disseminate or use, or cause to be made,
printed, published, disseminated or used, any notice, statement, adver-
tisement or application, with respect to the sale or rental of real property
that indicates any preference, limitation, specification or discrimination
based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin
or, ancestry or sexual orientation, or an intention to make any such pref-
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erence, limitation, specification or discrimination.
(d)
To represent to any person because of race, religion, color, sex,
disability, familial status, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation
that any real property is not available for inspection, sale or rental when
such real property is in fact so available.
(e)
For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or
rent any real property by representation regarding the entry or prospec-
tive entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular
race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin or, an-
cestry or sexual orientation.
(f)
To deny any person access to or membership or participation in
any multiple-listing service, real estate brokers’ organization or other serv-
ice, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting
real property, or to discriminate against such person in the terms or con-
ditions of such access, membership or participation, because of race, re-
ligion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin or, ancestry or
sexual orientation.
(g)
To discriminate against any person in such person’s use or occu-
pancy of real property because of the race, religion, color, sex, disability,
familial status, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation of the
people with whom such person associates.
(h) (1)
To discriminate in the sale or rental, or to otherwise make
unavailable or deny, residential real property to any buyer or renter be-
cause of a disability of:
(A)
That buyer or renter;
(B)
a person residing in or intending to reside in such real property
after it is sold, rented or made available; or
(C)
any person associated with that buyer or renter.
(2)
To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of residential real property or in the provision
of services or facilities in connection with such real property because of
a disability of:
(A)
That person;
(B)
a person residing in or intending to reside in that real property
after it is so sold, rented or made available; or
(C)
any person associated with that person.
(3)
For purposes of this subsection (h), discrimination includes:
(A)
A refusal to permit, at the expense of the person with a disability,
reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied
by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such
person full enjoyment of the premises;
(B)
a refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies,
practices or services, when such accommodations may be necessary to
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afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy residential real
property; or
(C)
in connection with the design and construction of covered mul-
tifamily residential real property for first occupancy on and after January
1, 1992, a failure to design and construct such residential real property
in such a manner that:
(i)
The public use and common use portions of such residential real
property are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities;
(ii)
all the doors designed to allow passage into and within all premises
within such residential real property are sufficiently wide to allow passage
by persons with disabilities who are in wheelchairs; and
(iii)
all premises within such residential real property contain the fol-
lowing features of adaptive design: An accessible route into and through
the residential real property; light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats
and other environmental controls in accessible locations; reinforcements
in bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars; and usable kitch-
ens and bathrooms such that an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver
about the space.
(4)
Compliance with the appropriate requirements of the American
national standard for buildings and facilities providing accessibility and
usability for physically handicapped people, commonly cited as ‘‘ANSI A
117.1,’’ suffices to satisfy the requirements of subsection (h)(3)(C)(iii).
(5)
As used in this subsection (h), ‘‘covered multifamily residential
real property’’ means:
(A)
Buildings consisting of four or more units if such buildings have
one or more elevators; and
(B)
ground floor units in other buildings consisting of four or more
units.
(6)
Nothing in this act shall be construed to invalidate or limit any
state law or ordinance that requires residential real property to be de-
signed and constructed in a manner that affords persons with disabilities
greater access than is required by this act.
(7)
Nothing in this subsection (h) requires that residential real prop-
erty be made available to an individual whose tenancy would constitute
a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals or whose tenancy
would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others.
Sec. 9.
K.S.A. 44-1017 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1017. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person or other entity whose business
includes engaging in real estate related transactions to discriminate
against any person in making available such a transaction, or in the terms
or conditions of such a transaction, because of the race, religion, color,
sex, disability, familial status, national origin or, ancestry or sexual ori-
entation of such person or of any person associated with such person in
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connection with any real estate related transaction.
(b)
As used in this section, ‘‘real estate related transaction’’ means
any of the following:
(1)
The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial
assistance:
(A)
For purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining
a dwelling; or
(B)
secured by real property.
(2)
The selling, brokering or appraising of real property.
(c)
Nothing in this section prohibits a person engaged in the business
of furnishing appraisals of real property to take into consideration factors
other than race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national
origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation.
Sec. 10.
K.S.A. 44-1027 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1027. (a) No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by
force or threat of force willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or
attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with:
(1)
Any person because of such person’s race, religion, color, sex,
disability, familial status, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation
and because such person is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, fi-
nancing, occupying or contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase,
rental, financing or occupation of any real property, or applying for or
participating in any service, organization or facility relating to the business
of selling or renting real property;
(2)
any person because such person is or has been, or in order to
intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from:
(A)
Participating, without discrimination on account of race, religion,
color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin or, ancestry or sexual
orientation, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities
described in subsection (a)(1); or
(B)
affording another person or class of persons opportunity or pro-
tection so to participate; or
(3)
any citizen because such citizen is or has been, or in order to
discourage such citizen or any other citizen from lawfully aiding or en-
couraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account
of race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin or,
ancestry or sexual orientation, in any of the activities, services, organiza-
tions or facilities described in subsection (a)(1), or participating lawfully
in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to
so participate.
(b)
Violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not more than
$1,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both such fine
and imprisonment, except that:
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(1)
If bodily injury results, such violation shall be punishable by a fine
of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 10 years,
or both such fine and imprisonment; and
(2)
if death results, such violation shall be punishable by imprison-
ment for any term of years or for life.
Sec. 11.
K.S.A. 44-1030 is hereby amended to read as follows: 44-
1030. (a) Except as provided by subsection (c), every contract for or on
behalf of the state or any county or municipality or other political sub-
division of the state, or any agency of or authority created by any of the
foregoing, for the construction, alteration or repair of any public building
or public work or for the acquisition of materials, equipment, supplies or
services shall contain provisions by which the contractor agrees that:
(1)
The contractor shall observe the provisions of the Kansas act
against discrimination and shall not discriminate against any person in the
performance of work under the present contract because of race, religion,
color, sex, disability, national origin or, ancestry or sexual orientation;
(2)
in all solicitations or advertisements for employees, the contractor
shall include the phrase, ‘‘equal opportunity employer,’’ or a similar
phrase to be approved by the commission;
(3)
if the contractor fails to comply with the manner in which the
contractor reports to the commission in accordance with the provisions
of K.S.A. 44-1031 and amendments thereto, the contractor shall be
deemed to have breached the present contract and it may be canceled,
terminated or suspended, in whole or in part, by the contracting agency;
(4)
if the contractor is found guilty of a violation of the Kansas act
against discrimination under a decision or order of the commission which
has become final, the contractor shall be deemed to have breached the
present contract and it may be canceled, terminated or suspended, in
whole or in part, by the contracting agency; and
(5)
the contractor shall include the provisions of subsections (a)(1)
through (4) in every subcontract or purchase order so that such provisions
will be binding upon such subcontractor or vendor.
(b)
The Kansas human rights commission shall not be prevented
hereby from requiring reports of contractors found to be not in compli-
ance with the Kansas act against discrimination.
(c)
The provisions of this section shall not apply to a contract entered
into by a contractor:
(1)
Who employs fewer than four employees during the term of such
contract; or
(2)
whose contracts with the governmental entity letting such con-
tract cumulatively total $5,000 or less during the fiscal year of such gov-
ernmental entity.
Sec. 12.
K.S.A. 44-1001, 44-1002, 44-1004, 44-1005, 44-1006, 44-
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1009, 44-1015, 44-1016, 44-1017, 44-1027 and 44-1030 are hereby
repealed.
Sec. 13.
This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.