HB 23-1032

House Bill 23-1032, which has been approved and is now in effect, makes it easier for people with disabilities to take legal action against discrimination. It allows individuals with disabilities to sue without first going through all the initial steps that other plaintiffs must follow when facing discrimination in places like restaurants or stores, housing, or employment. The bill also ensures that people with disabilities cannot be excluded from using services and programs provided by public accommodations and requires courts to order violators to comply with laws protecting against disability discrimination, along with providing monetary compensation.

Official Summary

The act creates exceptions to the general rule that a person must first exhaust the proceedings and remedies available to them before filing an action in district court based on an alleged discriminatory or unfair practice related to certain employment practices, housing practices, or discriminatory advertising for actions alleging discrimination in places of public accommodation and private actions to enforce laws that prohibit discriminatory housing practices. The act also prohibits an individual with a disability from being excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities provided by a place of public accommodation. In addition, the act requires that, in certain civil suits, an individual with a disability is entitled to a court order requiring compliance with applicable provisions along with either actual monetary damages or a statutory fine. APPROVED by Governor May 25, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 25, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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