Bill Text: VA HB782 | 2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Virginia Human Rights Act; complaint or charge of discrimination, right to file civil action.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-17 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0819) [HB782 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB782-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§2.2-3901, 2.2-3907, and 2.2-3908 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§2.2-3901. Definitions.
A. The terms "because of sex or gender" or "on the basis of sex or gender" or terms of similar import when used in reference to discrimination in the Code and acts of the General Assembly include because of or on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including lactation. Women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all purposes as persons not so affected but similar in their abilities or disabilities.
B. The term "gender identity," when used in reference to discrimination in the Code and acts of the General Assembly, means the gender-related identity, appearance, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth.
C. The term "sexual orientation," when used in reference to discrimination in the Code and acts of the General Assembly, means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality.
D. The terms "because of race" or "on the basis of race" or terms of similar import when used in reference to discrimination in the Code and acts of the General Assembly include because of or on the basis of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.
E. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"E.E.O.C." means the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
"Lactation" means a condition that may result in the feeding of a child directly from the breast or the expressing of milk from the breast.
"Military status" means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. §101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. §10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. §101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the individual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged action that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this section instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.
"Religion" includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols.
§2.2-3907. Procedures for a charge of unlawful discrimination; notice; investigation; report; conciliation; notice of the right to file a civil action; temporary relief.
A. Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful
discriminatory practice may file a complaint in writing under oath or
affirmation with the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Law (the
Office). Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, a complaint alleging a
violation of this chapter or federal statutes governing discrimination in
employment that also falls under the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be
filed with the Office no later than 300 days from the day upon which the
alleged discriminatory practice occurred. The Office itself or the
Attorney General may in a like manner file initiate such a
complaint. The complaint shall be in such detail as to substantially apprise
any party properly concerned as to the time, place, and facts surrounding the
alleged unlawful discrimination.
B. Upon perfection of a complaint filed pursuant to subsection A, the Office shall timely serve a charge on the respondent and provide all parties with a notice informing the parties of the complainant's rights, including the right to commence a civil action, and the dates within which the complainant may exercise such rights. In the notice, the Office shall notify the complainant that the charge of unlawful discrimination will be dismissed with prejudice and with no right to further proceed if a written complaint is not timely filed with the appropriate general district or circuit court.
C. The complainant and respondent may agree to voluntarily submit the charge to mediation without waiving any rights that are otherwise available to either party pursuant to this chapter and without incurring any obligation to accept the result of the mediation process. Nothing occurring in mediation shall be disclosed by the Office or admissible in evidence in any subsequent proceeding unless the complainant and the respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.
D. Once a charge has been issued, the Office shall conduct an investigation sufficient to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the alleged discrimination occurred. Such charge shall be the subject of a report made by the Office. The report shall be a confidential document subject to review by the Attorney General, authorized Office employees, and the parties. The review shall state whether there is reasonable cause to believe the alleged unlawful discrimination has been committed.
E. If the report on a charge of discrimination concludes that there is no reasonable cause to believe the alleged unlawful discrimination has been committed, the charge shall be dismissed and the complainant shall be given notice of his right to commence a civil action.
F. If the report on a charge of discrimination concludes that there is reasonable cause to believe the alleged unlawful discrimination has been committed, the complainant and respondent shall be notified of such determination and the Office shall immediately endeavor to eliminate any alleged unlawful discriminatory practice by informal methods such as conference, conciliation, and persuasion. When the Office determines that further endeavor to settle a complaint by conference, conciliation, and persuasion is unworkable and should be bypassed, the Office shall issue a notice that the case has been closed and the complainant shall be given notice of his right to commence a civil action.
G. At any time after a notice of charge of discrimination is issued, the Office or complainant may petition the appropriate court for temporary relief, pending final determination of the proceedings under this section, including an order or judgment restraining the respondent from doing or causing any act that would render ineffectual an order that a court may enter with respect to the complainant. Whether it is brought by the Office or by the complainant, the petition shall contain a certification by the Office that the particular matter presents exceptional circumstances in which irreparable injury will result from unlawful discrimination in the absence of temporary relief.
H. Upon receipt of a written request from the complainant, the Office shall promptly issue a notice of the right to file a civil action to the complainant after (i) 180 days have passed from the date the complaint was filed or (ii) the Office determines that it will be unable to complete its investigation within 180 days from the date the complaint was filed.
I. For any compliant or charge of discrimination for which the complainant has received a Notice of Right to Sue from the E.E.O.C., the general district or circuit court having jurisdiction shall accept the E.E.O.C. Notice of Right to Sue as a notice of the right to file a civil action under subsection H.
§2.2-3908. Civil actions by private parties.
A. An aggrieved person who has been provided may commence
a timely civil action in an appropriate general district or circuit court
having jurisdiction over the person who allegedly unlawfully discriminated
against such person in violation of this chapter. Any such civil action may
only be filed, if at all, within 90 days of the complainant's receipt of a
notice of his right to file a civil action pursuant to §2.2-3907 may
commence a timely civil action in an appropriate general district or circuit
court having jurisdiction over the person who allegedly unlawfully
discriminated against such person in violation of this chapter.
B. If the court or jury finds that unlawful discrimination has occurred, the court or jury may award to the plaintiff, as the prevailing party, compensatory and punitive damages and the court may award reasonable attorney fees and costs and may grant as relief any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in such practice, or order such affirmative action as may be appropriate.
C. Upon timely application, the Attorney General may intervene in such civil action if the Attorney General certifies that the case is of general public importance. Upon intervention, the Attorney General may obtain such relief as would be available to a private party under subsection B.
