H.B. 678 Summary

• Prohibits banks, credit unions, and other businesses from discriminating against customers based on subjective criteria including social media posts, organizational memberships, political affiliation, employer, and environmental/social/governance values-based criteria.

• Allows businesses to discontinue service only when necessary for physical safety of employees.

• Establishes civil penalties of $50,000 for first violations and $250,000 for each subsequent violation against banks and credit unions enforced by the superintendent of financial institutions.

• Treats violations by other businesses as unfair or deceptive trade practices under consumer protection law with the same remedies available under section 1345.09, subject to the same $50,000 and $250,000 penalty structure.

• Applies to both consumer transactions and business transactions regardless of whether they meet the definition of a consumer transaction.