Senate Bill No. 96 Summary

• Adds "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classes under Missouri's discrimination laws, covering employment, housing, public accommodations, and financial services

• Defines "sexual orientation" as male or female heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality by inclination, practice, identity, or expression

• Defines "gender identity" as the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth

• Expands the Missouri Commission on Human Rights' authority to investigate and enforce complaints involving discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity across all covered areas

• Applies protections to presumed or assumed sexual orientation or gender identity, whether or not the presumption is correct