HB 852 Summary

• Adds "political affiliation" as a protected class under Hawaii's employment discrimination laws, defining it as "the state of belonging to or endorsing a political party"

• Prohibits employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations from discriminating against individuals in hiring, firing, compensation, or terms of employment based on political affiliation

• Extends political affiliation protections to domestic workers and prohibits discrimination in public accommodations

• Aligns with similar protections already in place in the District of Columbia and some other jurisdictions

• Takes effect upon approval