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• Introduced by Rep. Edward Murray (D) on January 11, 2006, to prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation in employment, in credit and insurance transactions, in places of public resort, accommodation, or amusement, and in real property transactions. For these purposes, "Sexual orientation" means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression or identity. As used in this definition, "gender expression or identity" means having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth. The bill was introduced at the request of Governor Gregoire.
  • Referred to the House State Government Operations and Accountability Committee on January 11, 2006.
  • Substitute offered to the House State Government Operations and Accountability Committee on January 18, 2006, to clarify that the inclusion of sexual orientation among the bases for which discrimination is prohibited in employment matters will not be construed to require an employer to establish employment goals or quotas based on sexual orientation.
  • The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on January 20, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Lynn Schindler, (R-Spokane) (R) on January 20, 2006, to change the threshold number of employees needed to exempt an employer from the law against discrimination from 8 to 40 employees. H AMD 648. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on January 20, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. John Ahern, (R-Spokane) (R) on January 20, 2006, to exclude from the definition of employer any organization sponsored by a religious or sectarian organization. H AMD 649. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on January 20, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Fred Jarrett, (D-Mercer Island) (R) on January 20, 2006, to provide that a religious or sectarian organization is the employer of every individual on the payroll of the organization. H AMD 650. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on January 20, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Gigi Talcott (R) on January 20, 2006, to state that the inclusion of sexual orientation among the bases for prohibiting discrimination under the Law Against Discrimination does not create any precedent, basis, or right to same-sex marriage, and that the law must not be construed as creating any precedent, basis, or right to same-sex marriage. H AMD 651. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on January 20, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. John Serben (R) on January 20, 2006, to add a referendum clause, requiring a vote of the public at the next general election. H AMD 652. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on January 20, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Kathy Haigh, (D-Shelton) (D) on January 20, 2006, to add a statement to the Law Against Discrimination that inclusion of sexual orientation will not be construed to modify or supersede state law relating to marriage. H AMD 653. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on January 20, 2006.
• Passed in the House (60 to 37) on January 20, 2006, to prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on January 23, 2006.
  • Referred to the Senate Financial Institutions, Housing, and Consumer Protection Committee on January 23, 2006.
  • Amendment offered to the Senate on January 25, 2006, by the Senate Financial Institutions, Housing, and Consumer Protection Committee, to strike everything after the enacting clause and insert a new bill accomplishing the same goals as the original bill. The amended bill contains an additional provision to expressly state that the Law Against Discrimination is not to be construed as an endorsement of any specific belief, practice, behavior, or orientation.
  • The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on January 27, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Val Stevens, (R-Arlington) (R) on January 25, 2006, to limit the definition of sexual orientation to exclude behaviors other than homosexuality, bisexuality, gender expression or identity. S AMD 20. The amendment was withdrawn on 1/27/06.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Val Stevens, (R-Arlington) (R) on January 25, 2006, to limit the definition of sexual orientation to exclude behaviors other than homosexuality, bisexuality, gender expression or identity. S AMD 21.
  • The amendment failed in the Senate (22 to 25) on January 27, 2006. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Dan Swecker, (R-Rochester) (R) on January 25, 2006, to add a referendum clause. S AMD 22.
  • The amendment failed in the Senate (23 to 25) on January 27, 2006. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Dan Swecker, (R-Rochester) (R) on January 25, 2006, to add a referendum clause. S AMD 23.
  • The amendment failed in the Senate (23 to 25) on January 25, 2006. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Don Benton, (R-Vancouver) (R) on January 25, 2006, to amend the bill to prohibit discrimination based on political party affiliation. S AMD 24. The amendment failed in the Senate by voice vote on January 25, 2006.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Don Benton, (R-Vancouver) (R) on January 25, 2006, to prohibit discrimination based on obesity. S AMD 25. The amendment failed in the Senate by voice vote on January 25, 2006.
• Passed in the Senate (25 to 23) on January 27, 2006, to prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on January 27, 2006.
• Passed in the House (61 to 37) on January 27, 2006, to concur in the Senate amendment. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on January 31, 2006, to prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation.