Employment discrimination based on employment status

This bill prohibits employment discrimination based on employment status, which the bill defines as the status of being employed or unemployed. The bill specifies that employment discrimination because of employment status includes an employer, employment agency, or other person: 1) refusing to hire or employ an individual because the individual is currently unemployed; and 2) printing or circulating or causing to be printed or circulated any statement, advertisement, or publication, using any form of application for employment, or making any inquiry in connection with prospective employment that states or suggests that the qualifications for a job include currently being employed, that the employer, employment agency, or other person will not consider or review an application for employment submitted by an individual who is currently unemployed, or that the employer, employment agency, or other person will only consider or review an application for employment submitted by an individual who is currently employed.

The bill, however, provides that it is not employment discrimination because of employment status for an employer, employment agency, or other person to print or circulate or cause to be printed or circulated any statement, advertisement, or publication or to use any form of application for employment that sets forth any bona fide occupational qualifications for a job, including the holding of a professional or occupational credential or the possession of a minimum level of education, training, or experience, or that states that only individuals who are currently employed by the employer, employment agency, or other person will be considered for a job.