Assembly Bill 220 seeks to enhance protections against discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. The bill defines gender identity as an individual's internal sense of their gender, irrespective of their sex assigned at birth, and gender expression as the outward manifestation of that identity. Key amendments include the addition of gender identity and gender expression to existing non-discrimination laws, which already cover sex and sexual orientation. This expansion ensures that individuals cannot be excluded or discriminated against in various contexts, including educational institutions, jury duty, and adoption rights, while also mandating that state agencies take affirmative action to prevent such discrimination.

Further amendments clarify that while institutions may segregate students in dormitories by sex, they must not deny access to accommodations that align with a student's gender identity. The bill also updates language regarding marital status, replacing "husband and wife" with "two adults married to each other," and expands the list of protected characteristics in various contexts, including treatment facilities and local government commissions. Overall, Assembly Bill 220 aims to promote equality and inclusivity by reinforcing the rights of individuals regarding their gender identity and expression, alongside existing protections for race, religion, and sexual orientation.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 15.04(1)(g), 15.04, 16.765(1), 16.765, 16.765(2), 36.09(1)(e), 36.09, 36.11(3)(a), 36.11, 36.12(1), 36.12, 36.29(1), 36.29, 38.04(13)(b), 38.04, 38.23(1), 38.23, 38.23(4), 47.02(3m)(f), 47.02, 48.82(1)(a), 48.82, 48.82(6), 51.90, 66.0125(3)(a), 66.0125, 66.0125(3)(c)1.b