H-4645.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2932

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State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Sheahan, Smith and McMahan

Read first time 01/29/96.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Allowing the human rights commission to offer alternative dispute resolution to parties involved in a claim of illegal discrimination.

     AN ACT Relating to resolving claims of illegal discrimination; and adding a new section to chapter 49.60 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 49.60 RCW to read as follows:

     (1) The legislature finds that:  (a) Equal protection under the law is a fundamental principle of constitutional government essential to the well-being and perpetuation of a free society; (b) governmental entities should not engage in any discrimination prohibited by this chapter; (c) governmental entities should review employment-related practices to ensure discrimination prohibited by this chapter does not occur; and (d) existing remedies for resolving claims of illegal discrimination against public or private entities may unnecessarily create a difficult, lengthy, and costly process for all parties involved.

     (2) The commission is authorized, as an alternative to RCW 49.60.240 and 49.60.250, to offer alternative dispute resolution as a remedy to parties involved in a claim of illegal discrimination.

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