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| Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee |
On Monday, Governor Haslam signed HB 600, the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act, into law. At first glance, it seems rather benign.
This bill prohibits any local government from imposing on any person an anti-discrimination practice, standard, definition or provision that varies in any manner from the definition of "discriminatory practices" under present law or other types of discrimination recognized by state law but only to the extent recognized by the state. Under present law, "discriminatory practices" means any direct or indirect act or practice of exclusion, distinction, restriction, segregation, limitation, refusal, denial, or any other act or practice of differentiation or preference in the treatment of a person or persons because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.
It sounds like it protects against discrimination, right? But look closer.
Under this bill, any such anti-discrimination practice, standard, definition, or provision imposed on any such person by a local government prior to the effective date of this bill would be null and void.
And take a good look at the first paragraph again.
This bill prohibits any local government from imposing on any person an anti-discrimination practice, standard, definition or provision that varies in any manner from the definition of "discriminatory practices" under present law or other types of discrimination recognized by state law but only to the extent recognized by the state. Under present law, "discriminatory practices" means any direct or indirect act or practice of exclusion, distinction, restriction, segregation, limitation, refusal, denial, or any other act or practice of differentiation or preference in the treatment of a person or persons because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.
The city of Nashville had already passed an ordinance prohibiting businesses from discriminating against sexual orientation or gender identity. In the language of the new bill, cities cannot have anti-discrimination laws stricter than the state law. Any current laws exceeding the state law are now "null and void."
Instead of protecting all our state's citizens, Governor Haslam has now made discrimination against the LGBT community legal. Between this bill and the "Don't say gay" bill, I am disappointed in our state.
#IamTennessee
If you are on Twitter, use the hashtag #IamTennessee to express your lack of support for current discriminatory legislation. Governor, Senators, Representatives, listen up - we ARE Tennessee. #IamTennessee
More about this new law: Knoxville News Sentinel, The Tennessean (Nashville)
It is amazing how the legal jargon can hide so much and cover a 'multitude of sins' against society! On face value- it looks like a good thing- but as you have so cleverly pointed out...it is not very good at all!
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