HB 2642 Summary

• Adds sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in Arizona's civil rights laws covering employment, housing, and public accommodations.

• Defines "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality or bisexuality, and "gender identity" as gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms or characteristics regardless of designated sex at birth.

• Expands employment discrimination protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in hiring, compensation, terms of employment, and training programs.

• Extends housing discrimination prohibitions to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the sale, rental, financing, and brokerage of residential property.

• Amends the religious freedom protection statute to carve out exceptions allowing enforcement of civil rights laws protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.