The House Judiciary Committee this week listened to the sponsor present legislation that would make it unlawful for an employer, employment agency or labor organization to discriminate against an applicant or employee based upon the applicant or employee’s race, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin. “There is no need to take a vote on any House bills,” Chairman Jim Hill, , R-Moody, told the committee.

HB87 by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, which would have created a state cause of action against employers, died without committee action in the 2021 regular session.

Other bills that have received committee consideration in the 2021 regular session, but may die in the final three days of the session, include:

HAIR STYLE DISCRIMINATION
On a 5-4 vote March 10, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB265 by Sen. Rodger M. Smitherman, D-Birmingham. The bill would prohibit those who employ five or more from discriminating against an applicant or employee based upon the applicant or employee’s racial or ethnic hairstyle and would create a cause of action against an employer who does so. “Workplace dress code and grooming policies that prohibit natural hair, including afros, braids, twists and locks, have a disparate impact on Blacks as these policies are more likely to deter Black applicants and burden or punish Black employees than any other group,” the legislation states. The bill makes it illegal for an employer, employment agency or labor organization, including on-the-job training programs, to fail or refuse to hire, to discharge any individual, or to otherwise discriminate against an individual, based on the individual’s hair texture or hairstyle, if that hair texture or hairstyle is commonly associated with a particular race, ethnicity or national origin. The bill awaits consideration by the full Senate.

FREE TRIAL PRODUCTS OR SERVICES MANDATE
The House Commerce and Small Business Committee on March 3 approved HB454 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville. The bill would require a company offering a free product or service trial to include in that offer a clear and conspicuous explanation of the price that will be charged after the trial period ends or the manner in which the subscription or purchasing agreement pricing will change upon the conclusion of the trial period. Among other provisions, it makes it illegal to charge for an automatic renewal or continuous service without first obtaining the consumer’s affirmative consent and requires a toll-free number, email address, postal address or other “easy-to-use mechanism” for cancellations. “Currently, Alabama law doesn’t require businesses to disclose after a free trial expires,” Kiel told the committee. The bill awaits consideration by the full House.

Find a status update on other bills that have moved out of committee below:

• Senate OKs recovering purchase price for bogus collectibles
• Bill regulating tobacco and nicotine sales, advertising ready for final consideration
• Guidance on who is an employee for tax purposes takes effect July 1
• Changes to pharmacy licensure procedure effective July 1

This article is part of the Alabama Retail Report, a communication for Alabama Retail Association members. Not a member? Join us!

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