Mo. House panel backs workplace discrimination law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri House panel has endorsed legislation changing the legal standard for proving workplace discrimination and limiting the amount of damages victims could recover in lawsuits.

The measure would require a showing that discrimination was a "motivating factor" - not simply a contributing factor - in an employer's action against an employee. It would also tie the maximum punitive damages a victim could recover in a lawsuit to the size of the employer.

Monday's committee vote sends the bill to the full House. Senate leaders have indicated their chamber could take up a similar measure as early this week.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed similar legislation last year, saying it would have rolled back decades of civil rights progress.

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Workplace Discrimination bill is HB 1219

Online:

Missouri House: http://house.mo.gov