The "Uniform Antidiscrimination Act" seeks to strengthen anti-discrimination protections in South Carolina by amending various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The bill introduces new provisions that prohibit discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and educational settings based on race, color, or national origin, while also defining these terms to include characteristics such as skin color, facial features, hair texture, and natural hairstyles. It expands the definition of "discrimination" within the South Carolina Human Affairs Law to include gender identity and sexual orientation, and it limits the liability of educational organizations under certain circumstances. Additionally, the bill clarifies that employers are not required to grant preferential treatment based on demographic imbalances and allows for hiring preferences for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Moreover, the legislation emphasizes that discrimination based on age is not permissible, with specific exceptions for certain job roles like firefighters and law enforcement officers. It explicitly prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate transactions based on various characteristics, including gender identity and sexual orientation, and mandates that home health agencies and hospices cannot discriminate based on age, sex, or source of payment. The act aims to promote equality and prevent discrimination across multiple sectors in South Carolina, reinforcing the state's commitment to civil rights and human dignity.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 31-21-65, 45-9-11, 59-63-41, 1-13-20, 1-13-30, 1-13-80, 1-32-60, 31-21-40, 31-21-50, 31-21-60, 44-69-80, 44-71-90, 45-9-10
Latest Version: 31-21-65, 45-9-11, 59-63-41, 1-13-20, 1-13-30, 1-13-80, 1-32-60, 31-21-40, 31-21-50, 31-21-60, 44-69-80, 44-71-90, 45-9-10