2025 -- H 5879 | |
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LC001603 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Shekarchi, Finkelman, Corvese, | |
Date Introduced: February 28, 2025 | |
Referred To: House State Government & Elections | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 28-5 of the General Laws entitled "Fair Employment Practices" is |
2 | hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 28-5-7.5. Addressing antisemitic discrimination. |
4 | (a) As used in this section the term: |
5 | (1) "Antisemitism" has the same meaning as provided for in the working definition of |
6 | antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, |
7 | 2016, including the "contemporary examples of antisemitism," and as incorporated by reference in |
8 | Presidential Executive Order Number 13899, 84 F.R. 68779 December 11, 2019. Discriminatory |
9 | practices based upon race, religion, and country of ancestral origin shall include acts of |
10 | antisemitism throughout the Rhode Island general laws. |
11 | (2) "Government" means and includes a branch, department, agency, instrumentality, |
12 | political subdivision, official, or other person acting under color of state law. |
13 | (3) "State law" means and includes without limitation a state law or ordinance of a political |
14 | subdivision. |
15 | (b) In reviewing, investigating, or determining whether there has been a violation of any |
16 | relevant policy, law, or rule prohibiting discriminatory acts, the government shall take into |
17 | consideration the definition of "antisemitism" in this section for purposes of determining whether |
18 | the alleged act was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent. |
19 | (c) A court or other relevant authority shall apply the same legal standard to a claim of |
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1 | discrimination because of antisemitism as applicable to claims of discrimination arising under state |
2 | laws protecting civil rights. |
3 | (d) For the purposes of training of state personnel related to discrimination and anti-bias |
4 | training, the definition of "antisemitism" contained in this section shall be used as an educational |
5 | tool to familiarize state officials with identifying and addressing antisemitism. |
6 | (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to: |
7 | (1) Diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the United |
8 | States Constitution or the Rhode Island Constitution; or |
9 | (2) Conflict with federal law or state law concerning discrimination. |
10 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES | |
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1 | This act would provide a definition for antisemitism to be used by state agencies to evaluate |
2 | whether discrimination is present. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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