- Introduced -

SB 622 - This act prohibits discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation. Currently, Sections 213.010 through 213.101, RSMo, authorize the Missouri Human Rights Commission to seek to stop and prevent discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, age as it relates to employment, or familial status as it relates to housing. This act adds sexual orientation to this list. Thus, the Commission may investigate complaints alleging discrimination in employment, housing, or places of public accommodation based on sexual orientation.

This act adds to the current definition of "discrimination" by including unfair treatment based on a person's presumed or assumed status, in addition to that person's actual status. A definition for "sexual orientation" is also added to include heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or "having a self-image or identity not traditionally associated with one's biological maleness or femaleness".

This act is substantially similar to HB 639 (1999)

ERIN MOTLEY