In committee
Equality Act
This bill bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, credit, federal jury service, and public spaces. It broadens civil rights coverage to include everyday establishments like retail shops, healthcare facilities, banks, online services, and transportation providers, while ensuring access to shared facilities like restrooms according to an individual's gender identity. Furthermore, it prevents the Religious Freedom Restoration Act from being used to challenge or defend against these non-discrimination requirements.
People affected—not determinable from the text provided
Fiscal magnitude—no CBO estimate published
Reach88provisional · pending reviewrigor: heuristic llm
What this bill touches.
Market protections+50LGBTQ+ policy+85Workplace standards+55Religious exemptions+60Renters & rent+50
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- LGBTQ+ individuals and people discriminated against based on sex, gender identity, or sexual orientationGain explicit federal nondiscrimination protections in public accommodations, housing, employment, credit, public education, federally funded programs, and jury service (Sec. 3–12).
- Transgender and gender non-conforming individualsGain explicit protections guaranteeing access to shared restrooms, locker rooms, and dressing rooms corresponding to their gender identity in covered facilities and public accommodations (Sec. 9(2)).
Who it burdens
- Retailers, service providers, and public accommodationsSubject to expanded federal public accommodations laws barring discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across an expanded list of establishments, including online retailers, healthcare providers, banks, shelters, and transit (Sec. 3).
- Private and public employersProhibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring, firing, and terms of employment, and required to recognize gender identity when sex is a bona fide job qualification (Sec. 7).
- Housing providers, landlords, and mortgage lendersProhibited from discriminating or engaging in intimidation based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the sale, rental, advertising, or financing of residential property (Sec. 10).
- Creditors and financial institutionsProhibited under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act from discriminating against applicants based on sexual orientation or gender identity in any credit or loan transaction (Sec. 11).
- State and local government agencies and public schoolsProhibited from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in public facilities, public schools, and federally assisted programs, and face potential Department of Justice civil actions for violations (Sec. 4, Sec. 5, Sec. 6).
Who opposes it
- Parties seeking religious exemptions under RFRAExplicitly barred from using the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) as a defense against discrimination claims or as a basis to challenge covered civil rights provisions (Sec. 9(3), Sec. 10(a)(6), Sec. 11(d)).