MS HB545

Establishes the "Mississippi Civil Rights Act" recognizing the right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, immigrant status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or familial status.

Protects individuals from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing and property transactions, credit and contractual transactions, and educational institutions.

Allows persons injured by intentional discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, or education to file civil suits for injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, litigation costs, and attorney's fees.

Permits employees to sue for employment discrimination with remedies including injunctions, back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney's fees, with a two-year lookback period for back pay claims.

Exempts religious organizations from the employment discrimination provisions when hiring individuals to perform religiously-connected work; excludes small lodging establishments, private clubs, and houses of worship from public accommodation protections.