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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Assembly BILL 141

March 5, 2021 - Introduced by Representatives L. Myers, Stubbs, Drake, Shankland, S. Rodriguez, Anderson, Hebl, Neubauer, Ortiz-Velez, Hong, Emerson, Snodgrass, Cabrera, Baldeh, Conley, Hesselbein, Spreitzer, Vining, Hintz, Subeck, Shelton, Billings, Brostoff, Bowen and Considine, cosponsored by Senators L. Taylor, Johnson, Roys, Agard, Larson, Wirch and Carpenter. Referred to Committee on Constitution and Ethics.

AB141,2,2 An Act to renumber 15.04 (1) (g), 48.82 (1), 106.58, 118.13 (1), 118.20 (1), 230.18 and 756.001 (1); and to create 15.04 (1) (g) 1., 16.70 (10p), 16.70 (10t), 36.05 (10g), 36.05 (10r), 38.01 (6g), 38.01 (6r), 47.01 (4), 47.01 (4m), 48.82 (1g), 51.01 (13g), 51.01 (13r), 66.1011 (1m) (f), 66.1011 (1m) (g), 66.1201 (3) (mg), 66.1201 (3) (mr), 66.1213 (4) (ng), 66.1213 (4) (nr), 66.1301 (3) (pg), 66.1301 (3) (pr), 66.1331 (3) (hm), 66.1331 (3) (jm), 66.1333 (2m) (hm), 66.1333 (2m) (im), 106.50 (1m) (pg), 106.50 (1m) (pr), 106.52 (1) (dg), 106.52 (1) (er), 106.58 (1), 111.32 (12k), 111.32 (12L), 111.70 (1) (mg), 111.70 (1) (mr), 111.81 (15p), 111.81 (15u), 118.13 (1) (a), 118.134 (1g), 118.20 (1) (a), 118.40 (4) (ae), 194.01 (11m), 194.01 (12m), 224.71 (12g), 224.71 (12r), 227.01 (10g), 227.01 (10r), 230.18 (1), 234.01 (11), 234.01 (12), 321.01 (10g), 321.01 (10r), 440.40 (5g), 440.40 (5r), 600.03 (40g), 600.03 (40r) and 756.001 (1d) of the statutes; relating to: prohibiting discrimination based on traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill provides that prohibitions of race-based discrimination include discrimination related to traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles. “Protective hairstyle” is defined in the bill to include braids, locs, and twists.

Under current law, discrimination because of race is prohibited in employment, housing, education, service as a juror, adoption, and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement. This bill prohibits discrimination based on traits historically associated with race in employment, housing, education, service as a juror, adoption, and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement.

Current law also prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, mortgage bankers, mortgage loan originators, mortgage brokers, and real estate brokers and salespersons from discriminating against a person on the basis of race; prohibits discrimination based on race in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or mental health services; and prohibits the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination on the basis of race. This bill prohibits discrimination based on traits historically associated with race in these areas.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB141,1 Section 1. 15.04 (1) (g) of the statutes is renumbered 15.04 (1) (g) 2.