HB 1161 Summary

• Expands Indiana civil rights law to prohibit employment discrimination based on a person's employment status (such as being unemployed) when applying for or inquiring about employment.

• Requires all state and local government contracts, including those with subcontractors, to include provisions prohibiting discrimination against applicants and employees based on employment status.

• Authorizes the Civil Rights Commission to study discrimination problems related to employment status and to receive and investigate complaints about employment status-based discrimination.

• Makes technical corrections to Indiana Code § 22-9-1, including updated pronoun usage and clarification of commission authority and procedures.

• Effective date: July 1, 2012.