Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
SB 608 revises Missouri’s Human Rights Act provisions governing unlawful discriminatory practices. The bill repeals and reenacts multiple sections of chapter 213 to update definitions and enforcement language, while expressly adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classifications across employment, housing, public accommodations, and related anti-retaliation provisions. It also updates definitions such as “discrimination,” “race,” “gender identity,” “sexual orientation,” and “veteran status,” and clarifies that discrimination includes adverse treatment based on a person’s perceived or presumed protected status.
In addition to expanding protected classes, the bill makes conforming changes to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights’ powers and duties and preserves existing exemptions and exceptions for religious organizations, private clubs, small owner-occupied housing situations, housing for older persons, and certain employment standards. It also revises section 213.101 to direct courts on how claims under chapter 213 are to be analyzed, including references to the business judgment rule, McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting, and the abrogation of certain Missouri cases and jury instructions.
The bill would materially expand the scope of Missouri’s anti-discrimination law by making sexual orientation and gender identity explicit protected categories in employment, housing, and public accommodations, and by extending related protections against retaliation and association-based discrimination. It would also affect lending and real estate services by prohibiting discrimination in housing finance and multiple listing services on those bases. The Missouri Commission on Human Rights would continue to enforce these provisions under chapter 213, with updated statutory language governing complaints, investigations, and remedies.
The bill’s caption and text indicate a pro-civil-rights, anti-discrimination purpose, and the overall statutory changes are consistent with expanding protections for LGBTQ individuals. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears designed to strengthen and modernize existing civil rights protections rather than to narrow them.
The main points of potential contention are the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes and the bill’s changes to litigation standards under chapter 213. Supporters would likely view the measure as closing gaps in Missouri’s civil rights law and aligning state law with broader anti-discrimination norms. Opponents could focus on the expanded liability for employers, landlords, businesses, and public accommodations, as well as the bill’s express abrogation of prior Missouri case law and jury instructions, which may be seen as altering established legal standards in discrimination cases. The bill also preserves religious and private-club exemptions, which may be relevant in balancing competing concerns.