Mo. House panel to again consider discrimination

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri lawmakers appear ready to take up discrimination in the workplace again.

Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, vetoed a measure last month that would have changed the legal standard for workers who bring wrongful termination lawsuits.

The bill would have also limited punitive damages that could be paid to "whistleblowers"- people who report wrongdoing at their jobs.

House Republicans say they don't have enough votes to override the veto. But a House workforce development panel is to hear two bills Tuesday that could help the GOP get around the governor's veto.

One measure contains only the "whistleblower" provisions of the vetoed bill. The other measure is identical to the legislation Nixon vetoed, but it could be turned into a compromise bill that Nixon would be willing to sign.

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Workplace discrimination bills are HB2099 and SB592

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov