Text of VA HB 694 (2012)

12102304D HOUSE BILL NO. 694 Offered January 11, 2012 Prefiled January 11, 2012 A BILL to amend and reenact §2.2-3900 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Human Rights Act; policy of the Commonwealth. ---------- Patron-- Plum ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws ---------- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §2.2-3900 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: §2.2-3900. Short title; declaration of policy. A. This chapter shall be known and cited as the Virginia Human Rights Act. B. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to: 1. Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions and in real estate transactions; in employment; preserve the public safety, health and general welfare; and further the interests, rights and privileges of individuals within the Commonwealth; and 2. Protect citizens of the Commonwealth against unfounded charges of unlawful discrimination. C. For the purposes of this section: "Gender identity" means an individual's self-conception as being male or female, as distinguished from actual biological sex. "Sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality. Sexual orientation shall not include any person's attraction toward persons with whom sexual conduct would be illegal due to the age of the parties.