Bill Text: NJ AR73 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Opposes DOL's proposed rule clarifying civil rights protections for religious organizations contracting with federal government.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee [AR73 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR73-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman P. CHRISTOPHER TULLY
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Opposes DOL's proposed rule clarifying civil rights protections for religious organizations contracting with federal government.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Assembly Resolution opposing the United States Department of Labor's proposed rule clarifying civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government.
Whereas, Protections for LGBTQ individuals have come under attack since President Donald Trump assumed office; and
Whereas, In October 2018, the Trump administration's Department of Justice took a position against LGBTQ workers when the department announced that businesses are allowed to discriminate against workers based on the worker's gender identity without violating federal law; and
Whereas, In May 2019, the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services proposed a rule to allow health care service providers to discriminate based on gender identity; and
Whereas, Most recently, on August 15, 2019, the Trump administration's Department of Labor proposed a rule to clarify civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government; and
Whereas, The proposed rule would allow religion-exercising organizations with federal contracts to raise religious exemptions if accused of bias in their hiring practices; and
Whereas, The acting Department of Labor Secretary endorsed this proposed rule as one designed to ensure the civil rights of religious employers are protected; and
Whereas, In practice, this rule would allow government contractors to fire workers who are LGBTQ, pregnant, or unmarried based on the employers' religious views; and
Whereas, If the rule were to take effect, the nearly one-quarter of employees in the United States that work for a federally-contracted employer would be subject to taxpayer-funded discrimination in the name of religious liberty; and
Whereas, Under the guise of religious freedom, this rule seeks to undermine employees' civil rights protections and encourages discrimination in the workplace; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this House to oppose such a proposal by the United States Department of Labor; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House opposes the United States Department of Labor's proposed rule clarifying civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government as taxpayer-funded discrimination in the name of religion.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President and Vice President of the United States and United States Secretary of Labor.
STATEMENT
This resolution opposes the United States Department of Labor's proposed rule clarifying civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government as taxpayer-funded discrimination in the name of religion.
Protections for LGBTQ individuals have come under attack since President Donald Trump assumed office. In October 2018, the Trump administration's Department of Justice took a position against LGBTQ workers when the department announced that businesses are allowed to discriminate against workers based on the worker's gender identity without violating federal law. In May 2019, the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services proposed a rule to allow health care service providers to discriminate based on gender identity.
Most recently, on August 15, 2019, the Trump administration's Department of Labor proposed a rule to clarify civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government.
The proposed rule would allow religion-exercising organizations with federal contracts to raise religious exemptions if accused of bias in their hiring practices. Patrick Pizzella, the acting Department of Labor Secretary, endorsed this proposed rule as one designed to ensure the civil rights of religious employers are protected. In practice, this rule would allow government contractors to fire workers who are LGBTQ, pregnant, or unmarried based on the employers' religious views.
If the rule were to take effect, the nearly one-quarter of employees in the United States that work for a federally-contracted employer would be subject to taxpayer-funded discrimination in the name of religious liberty. Under the guise of religious freedom, this rule seeks to undermine employees' civil rights protections and encourages discrimination in the workplace.
It is fitting and proper for this House to oppose such a proposal by the United States Department of Labor.
