SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                                    HB 2264

 

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 24, 1992

 

 

Brief Description:  Lowering employer size for employer discrimination statute.

 

SPONSORS: Representatives Inslee, Wineberry, Prentice, Locke, Cantwell, Winsley, Franklin, Rust, G. Cole, Belcher, Leonard, Ogden, Dellwo, Appelwick, Morris and Anderson

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

 

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

 

Hearing Dates: February 25, 1992

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Washington's anti-discrimination statute gives the state Human Rights Commission general jurisdiction to prevent discrimination by employers based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, or handicaps.  The law also grants a person alleging discrimination a private cause of action.

 

For purposes of the statute, an employer is defined as any person who employs eight or more persons.  A court has applied this definition to disallow a private cause of action by a person working for an employer of less than eight employees.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The anti-discrimination statute applies to employers who employ one or more persons.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  available