Gender equity in community athletics programs (SB 5967/HB 2124)

An amended version of SB 5967 passed the Senate on a vote of 41-4. The bill would prohibit a city, town, county or district from discriminating against any person on the basis of gender in the operation of community athletics programs for youth or adults.

The bill was amended and improved significantly from the original proposal. The key amendment removed city liability regarding third party use of city facilities and potential discrimination. Cities will be required to inform and secure written statements from third parties that they will not discriminate. The House companion bill HB 2124 is dead.

Prohibiting employer communication about political or religious matters (HB 1528/SB 5446)

These bills would have prohibited an employer from requiring employees to attend meetings to receive communications related to political (including meetings that involve discussions about labor organizations) or religious matters. Employers would have been prohibited from taking adverse employment action against an employee who refused to attend such a meeting. The bills provided for a cause of action against the employer for violations. Both bills died in their respective Rules Committee.

Expanding the rights of domestic partners (SB 5688/HB 1727)

These bills provide that for all purposes under state law, state registered domestic partners are treated the same as married spouses. HB 1727 did not pass out of the House. SB 5688 passed the Senate 30-18. If passed by the House and signed into law, this bill will impact pensions and other employee benefits such as health care.

Adjusting veterans’ scoring criteria (HB 1050/SB 5034)

These bills would remove the requirement that public employees called to active military duty must serve for at least one year to claim the 5% scoring preference. HB 1050 passed out of the House and is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections on Monday, March 16 at 10 am. The companion, SB 5034, did not pass the Senate.

Workers’ compensation death benefits for surviving spouses (HB 1212)

If passed and signed into law, this bill would modify industrial insurance death benefits for surviving spouses of law enforcement officers and firefighters, allowing surviving spouses to remarry and continue to receive benefits. HB 1212 passed the House on a vote of 78-19 and is scheduled for a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 17.

[ previous article ] [ return to top ]