Senate Bill 223 seeks to enhance protections against discrimination across multiple sectors, including 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 understanding of their gender, irrespective of their sex assigned at birth, and gender expression as the outward manifestation of that identity. Key amendments involve the inclusion of gender identity and gender expression in existing non-discrimination laws, which previously only addressed sex and sexual orientation. This expansion covers various areas such as educational institutions, jury duty, adoption rights, and the national guard, ensuring that individuals are not excluded or discriminated against based on these characteristics.

Additionally, the bill mandates that state agencies and contracting entities take remedial action if discrimination based on gender identity or expression is identified. It requires that contracts executed by certain state agencies include non-discrimination clauses that encompass these new categories. The bill also prohibits insurers and service providers from discriminating based on gender identity and expression, thereby broadening protections to ensure equal access to services and opportunities. Other amendments clarify that while institutions may segregate students in dormitories by sex, they must not deny access to accommodations consistent with a student's gender identity. Furthermore, eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services must be determined without regard to various characteristics, including gender identity and expression, and the bill removes age limitations that could lead to ineligibility. Overall, Senate Bill 223 aims to create a more inclusive legal framework that protects individuals from discrimination in various aspects of life.

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