This bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the state's antidiscrimination policies by introducing new protections against discrimination based on "health status." Specifically, the bill adds "health status" to the list of protected categories in employment, public accommodations, housing, and credit transactions. It defines "health status" as an individual's medical records or preferences related to the right to refuse medical procedures, treatments, injections, devices, vaccines, or prophylactics. Additionally, the bill clarifies that discrimination based on health status is prohibited in various contexts, including hiring practices, employment agency operations, and labor organization activities.

The bill also makes several amendments to existing definitions and provisions related to discriminatory practices. For instance, it expands the definition of discriminatory practices to include adverse treatment based on health status and emphasizes that employers must make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including those related to health status. Furthermore, the bill maintains existing protections while ensuring that the new provisions do not disrupt the normal operations of businesses or impose undue hardship. Overall, this legislation aims to strengthen the framework for protecting individuals from discrimination in North Dakota by explicitly including health status as a protected category.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 14-02.4-01, 14-02.4-02, 14-02.4-03, 14-02.4-04, 14-02.4-05, 14-02.4-06, 14-02.4-08, 14-02.4-09, 14-02.4-14, 14-02.4-15, 14-02.4-16, 14-02.4-17