AK HB179

Prohibits employers from taking or threatening adverse employment action against employees who refuse to attend employer-sponsored meetings or listen to communications whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer's opinion on religious or political matters.

Employers who violate this prohibition are liable for the employee's lost wages.

Exempts employers from this restriction when communicating information required by law, information necessary for job performance, and when communicating about the employer's business to executive personnel.

Exempts institutions of higher education from this restriction regarding coursework, symposia, and academic programs, and exempts religious organizations from this restriction regarding communications about religious beliefs, practices, or tenets.

Defines "political matters" as relating to elections, political parties, proposed legislation or regulations, and decisions to join or support political or civic organizations, and "religious matters" as relating to religious affiliation, practice, and decisions to join or support religious organizations.