HR15-119

What This Bill Does

The Equality Act extends federal civil rights protections to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and other federal laws to add these protected categories alongside existing protections for race, religion, and national origin. The bill also significantly expands the definition of "public accommodations" to cover nearly all businesses that affect commerce.

Who Benefits and How

LGBTQ individuals gain explicit federal protection against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, education, and federally funded programs. Transgender individuals specifically receive protection to access shared facilities (restrooms, locker rooms) consistent with their gender identity. Pregnant individuals and those with pregnancy-related medical conditions receive strengthened non-discrimination protections, ensuring they cannot be treated less favorably than other physical conditions. Civil rights plaintiffs benefit because the Religious Freedom Restoration Act cannot be used as a defense against claims under these expanded protections.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Businesses of all types—including retailers, service providers, healthcare facilities, shelters, and online businesses—face expanded compliance obligations as the definition of "public accommodations" broadens significantly. Religious organizations and religiously-affiliated service providers (such as adoption agencies and healthcare facilities) cannot claim religious exemptions under RFRA to justify practices that would otherwise violate these anti-discrimination requirements. Landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals must ensure they do not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Employers must update hiring, firing, and workplace policies to comply with expanded definitions. Financial institutions and lenders must ensure credit decisions do not discriminate on these newly protected bases.

Key Provisions

• Adds "sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)" as a protected class in Titles II, III, IV, VI, VII, and IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Expands the definition of "public accommodations" to include virtually any establishment providing goods, services, or programs, including online retailers and service providers
• Amends the Fair Housing Act to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
• Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit credit discrimination on these bases
• Explicitly states that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) cannot be used as a claim or defense against civil rights violations under these covered titles
• Guarantees transgender individuals access to shared facilities (restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms) consistent with their gender identity
• Prohibits discrimination in jury selection based on sexual orientation and gender identity