The bill amends Section 28-5-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-5, titled "Fair Employment Practices," to clarify and expand the definition of unlawful employment practices. It makes it illegal for employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and others to discriminate against individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin in various employment-related activities. The bill also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities and mandates written disclosure of the outcomes of internal harassment complaints.

New legal language introduced by the bill includes personal liability for individuals who engage in, aid, or attempt to commit unlawful employment practices. It prohibits inquiries about past arrests or convictions on job applications, except for certain positions such as law enforcement or where required by law. The bill allows a one-year period from June 7, 1988, or until the end of a collective bargaining agreement in effect on that date, for employers to comply with fair employment practices without reducing existing benefits or compensation. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1043: 28-5-7