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Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009

Introduced: August 5, 2009 Introduced by: Merkley, Jeff Democratic · Oregon See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 5, 2009
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-1134.
Aug 5, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8868-8870)
Aug 5, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8867-8868)
Aug 5, 2009
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees). Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims.

Prohibits related retaliation.

Makes this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; and (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the Armed Forces. Declares that this Act does not repeal or modify any federal, state, territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning employment for a veteran.

Provides for the construction of this Act regarding: (1) enforcement by employers of rules and policies; (2) sexual harassment; (3) certain shared facilities such as showers or dressing facilities; (4) construction of new or additional facilities; (5) dress and grooming standards; and (6) provision of employee benefits to married vs. unmarried couples. Declares that, in this Act, "married" refers to a legal union between one man and one woman.

Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from collecting statistics from covered entities on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or compelling the collection by covered entities of such statistics.

Provides for enforcement, including giving the EEOC, the Librarian of Congress, the Attorney General, and U.S. courts the same enforcement powers as they have under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, and other specified laws.

Allows actions and proceedings, subject to exception, against the United States and the states.

What's happening now November 5, 2009

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-1134.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1