HB 712 -- SEXUAL ORIENTATION

CO-SPONSORS:  Hilgemann, Wilson (42), Bray, Coleman, Johnson
(61), Riback Wilson (25), Rizzo, Harlan, Fraser, Van Zandt

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and
Administrative Law by a vote of 5 to 2 with 2 present.

This bill prohibits discrimination based upon a person's sexual
orientation.  The bill defines "sexual orientation."

The bill also clarifies that discrimination includes cases where
unfair treatment results from the guilty party's mere
assumptions about the victim (e.g., race, religion, etc.)
whether or not those assumptions are true or false.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill merely grants the same
protection already guaranteed to all kinds of people who have
faced discrimination based on their color, religious beliefs,
sex, etc.  Many productive, valued employees have been fired
when their employers discover their sexual orientation.  The
same kind of discrimination often occurs in housing.  The bill
does not involve a question of morality or endorse any
particular lifestyle.  Rather, it is simply a question of equal
protection under the law.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Hilgemann; Missouri
Human Rights Commission; Privacy Education Project; Associated
Students of the University of Missouri; and Missouri Women's
Network.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the definition of
sexual orientation is too broad.  The bill would take us down a
road of litigation.  It might be interpreted so as to protect
pedophiles.  The state should not make laws that would actually
condone, and not discourage, high risk and dangerous behavior.

Testifying against the bill were the Missouri Family Network;
Concerned Women of Missouri; Mimi Hauge; and Missouri Eagle
Forum.

Richard Smreker, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:45 am