New Idaho Bill Would Ban Gay Discrimination

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill has been introduced in the Idaho Senate that seeks to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The legislation introduced Tuesday by Boise Democratic Sens. Grant Burgoyne and Cherie Buckner-Webb adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the Idaho Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on those grounds in housing, employment and public accommodations. A similar bill failed to pass through the House State Affairs Committee on a party-line vote last year.

The difference with the new legislation is that it provides definitions for the terms sexual orientation and gender identity, addressing questions that came up during last year's hearing. Burgoyne says he's working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to address additional concerns, including questions about religious liberty.