Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote on a motion to recommit to committee a bill that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity with regard to housing, credit, and employment.

Highlights:

• Defines “gender identity” as a gender-related identity or appearance of an individual regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits a person that is licensed or regulated by a unit in the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation or by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation from discriminating against any person because of their gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Exempts any religious entity from the provisions of this act concerning the employment of individuals of a particular gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an employer to establish and require an employee to adhere to reasonable workplace appearance, grooming, and dress standards that are directly related to the nature of the employment as long as the employer allows any employee to appear, groom, and dress consistent with the employee’s gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Establishes that all personnel actions concerning a State employee or applicant for employment in State government shall be made without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity with regard to housing, credit and employment.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a person that is licensed or regulated by the commissioner or financial regulation from refusing, withholding from, or denying any person any of the advantages, privileges, sales, or services or discriminate against any person because of the person’s gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Defines “gender identity” as a gender-related identity or appearance of an individual, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee is not required to grant preferential treatment to any gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Exempts any religious entity from the provisions of this act concerning the employment of individuals of a particular gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an employer to establish and require an employee to adhere to reasonable workplace appearance, grooming, and dress standards that are directly related to the nature of the employment as long as the employer allows any employee to appear, groom, and dress consistent with the employee’s gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the following discriminatory practices by any person with respect to residential housing (Sec. 2): 
• Refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of a dwelling to any person because of gender identity;
• Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental of a dwelling because of gender identity;
• Make, print, or publish any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on gender identity;
• Represent to any person because of gender identity that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when the dwelling is available; or
• For profit, induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry of prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person of a particular gender identity.

• Establishes that all personnel actions concerning a State employee or applicant for employment in State government shall be made without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this Act shall become effective, October 1, 2011 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text