STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Human & Civil Rights Provisions of 2010 This legislation adds four words to Idaho's Civil Rights Act, non-discrimination statutes and to the Human Rights Act to secure for individuals within the state of Idaho freedom from discrimination in connection with employment, public accommodations, real property transactions, or education because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As with existing protections for individuals based on race, creed, religion, sex, age and national origin, the legislation will authorize the Idaho Human Rights Commission to investigate complaints of such unlawful discrimination, make findings, act upon its findings, and endeavor to mediate or eliminate by informal means such discrimination, if it exists. Under the human rights act, businesses employing five or fewer employees are exempt. Duplex rental units and shared rental or roommate accommodations are exempt. Furthermore, because a religious exemption is included and because the Human Rights Commission is also charged with protecting the religious rights and freedoms of individuals in the state of Idaho, it is the intent of this legislation that the enactment of this law will not diminish protections for religious organizations to practice and operate according to their religious beliefs. Additionally, the legislation uses exemption language from the successful Salt Lake City ordinance which also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The exemption reiterates the right of the Boy Scouts of America to expressive association in hiring and related matters as established in the U.S. Supreme Court decision Boy Scouts of America v. Dale. Enactment of this legislation will protect the individual interest in personal dignity and make available to the state its full productive capacities. Through utilization of the Human Rights Commission, all parties involved in complaints of unlawful discrimination will be afforded a neutral and cost effective administrative forum to aid in determining issues of alleged discrimination. Nationally, other states have recognized the need for such legislation. Over 100 cities, including Pocatello, Boise, Caldwell and Salt Lake City, have now made it their policy. FISCAL NOTE NONE. While prior to recent budget cuts the caseload for the Human Rights Commission was already heavy, the Commission had said in previous years that they could handle the addition of these few cases each year without additional staff. Read the proposed legislation. To be presented to Senate State Affairs Committee in 2010 by: Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Roden and House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti. LEGISLATION OT GRANTED A HEARING FOR INTRODUCTION 2010 SENATE CO-SPONSORS: Minority Caucus Chair Edgar Malepeai (Primary Senate Sponsor) Assistant Majority Leader Joe Stegner Minority Leader Kate Kelly Assistant Minority Leader Elliot Werk John Andreason Gary Schroeder Tim Corder Nicole LeFavour Les Bock 2010 HOUSE CO-SPONSORS: Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti (Primary House Sponsor) Minority Leader John Rusche Minority Caucus Chair Bill Killen Chairman of Agriculture Tom Trail Wendy Jaquet Donna Boe Elaine Smith Shirley Ringo George Sayler Anne Pasley-Stuart Donna Pence Sue Chew Liz Chavez Phylis King Branden Durst Grant Burgoyne Elfreda Higgins Brain Cronin