HB 42 Summary

• Adds "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" as protected classes to Alaska's anti-discrimination laws across employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations.

• Defines "sexual orientation" as heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality, and "gender identity or expression" as having or expressing a gender regardless of whether it differs from sex assigned at birth.

• Expands the State Commission for Human Rights' duties to study discrimination problems and publish research related to sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

• Prohibits discrimination by employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, financial institutions, real estate professionals, and state/local government entities based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

• Applies protections to employment decisions, credit and financing, places of public accommodation, housing, and advertising in connection with these services.