SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5736

BYSenators Moore, Talmadge, Rinehart, Williams, Kreidler, McDermott and Fleming

Prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 27, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5736 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Bender, Vice Chairman; Bottiger, Fleming, McDermott.

Senate Staff:Stephanie Yates (786-7416)

                  February 27, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, FEBRUARY 27, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The insurance code prohibits unfair discrimination based on sex, marital status or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical handicap.

The statutory law against discrimination prohibits discrimination in employment, credit and insurance transactions, real estate transactions, and places of public resort, amusement, or accommodation because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical handicap.  The right to be free from discrimination because of any of the foregoing is a civil right.

SUMMARY:

"Sexual orientation" is added to the identified classes who are protected from unfair discrimination under the insurance code.

"Sexual orientation" is added to the identified classes who are protected from discrimination in employment, insurance and credit transactions, real estate transactions, and places of public resort, amusement, or accommodation. 

Sexual orientation is defined to include heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality.

An employer is not required to establish employment goals or quotas based on sexual orientation.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An employer who owns a business that is established in connection with a school for purposes of employing students is excluded from the general definition of an employer under the law against discrimination.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Mary Dougherty, Rean Dougherty, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Gay/Lesbian Task Force; Doug Houck; John Melton, Seventh-day Adventist Church; Estelle Bemker, self; Katie Urbanek, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; Cris Shardelman, self; Parry Urbanek, PFLAG; Ed Estes, state employee; Steven Glancy, Mayor's Lesbian/Gay Task Force, Office for Women's Rights (Seattle); Gary Jacobs, Lesbian/Gay Democrats; Susan Nelson, Gay and Lesbian Action Network; Michael Siptroth, Gay and Lesbian Action Network; Jim Holm, Dorian Group; Ken Steely, Bill of Rights; J'Non Risham, Task Force for Public Health; Roy Delia; Dr. Bill Lafferty