Virginia Human Rights Acts; discrimination onthe basis of disability. Adds discrimination on the basis ofdisability as an unlawful employment practice under the VirginiaHuman Rights Act. The bill also requires employers, defined in thebill, to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical and mentalimpairments of an otherwise qualified person with a disability, ifnecessary to assist such person in performing a particular job, unlessthe employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would imposean undue hardship on the employer. The bill also prohibits employersfrom taking any adverse action against an employee who requests oruses a reasonable accommodation, from denying employment or promotionopportunities to an otherwise qualified applicant or employee because such employer will be required to make reasonable accommodation tothe applicant or employee, or from requiring an employee to takeleave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided to the known limitations related to the disability. The bill creates a cause of action against any employer who denies any of the rights to reasonable accommodation afforded by the bill and permits the court or juryto award compensatory damages, back pay, and other equitable relief.
Del. Delores McQuinn
Sponsored bills
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the enactmentof the Civil Rights Act of 1871. Commemorates the 150th anniversaryof the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1871. This resolutionis a recommendation of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission.
Access to water; human right. Recognizing that access to clean, potable, and affordable water is a necessary human right.
Environmental permits; community and environmentaljustice outreach. Requires the applicant for any (i) new or majormodified stationary air pollution source, (ii) new landfill or transfer station, (iii) certification of site approval for a hazardous wastefacility, (iv) new individual Virginia Pollutant Discharge EliminationSystem permit, (v) new individual Virginia Water Protection permit,(vi) new individual Virginia Stormwater Management Program permit,(vii) new individual Virginia Pollution Abatement permit, or (viii)individual ground water withdrawal permit for a new ground water withdrawal to complete certain public notice requirements, including(a) holding a public hearing; (b) publishing notices in English andSpanish in a newspaper, on social media, and on signage at the sitelocation at least 60 days prior to such public meeting; (c) mailingnotices to interested parties; (d) accepting written comments; (e)transcribing meeting information; and (f) responding to communityconcerns to the satisfaction of the Department of Environmental Quality. The bill removes an exemption for applicantsfor a permit to operate a new captive industrial landfill or a new construction-demolition-debris landfill from certain provisions relatingto new landfills or transfer stations. The bill also removes an exemptionfrom certain public notice requirements granted to local governmentor public authority applicants for a permit to operate a landfillor transfer station.
Freedom of Information Act; exclusions; definitionof "Office of the Governor." Adds the Chief Workforce DevelopmentAdvisor and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to thedefinition of "Office of the Governor" for purposes of excludingthe working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governorfrom mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
National Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol; Barbara Rose Johns. Authorizes, and directs the submission to the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, that the vacant spot of the Commonwealth in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol be filled with a statue to commemorate Barbara Rose Johns. The request is subject to written approval by the Governor and is made in accordance with the recommendation by the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol.
International Overdose Awareness Day. DesignatesAugust 31, in 2021 and in each succeeding year, as InternationalOverdose Awareness Day in Virginia and directs that flags be loweredto half-mast on August 31 in memory of those who have lost theirlives to addiction.
Racism; public health crisis. Recognizesthat racism is a public health crisis in Virginia.
Victims of COVID-19 Remembrance Day. DesignatingMarch 14, in 2021 and in each succeeding year, as Victims of COVID-19Remembrance Day in Virginia.
Equal Citizens Month. Designates November,in 2021 and in each succeeding year, as Equal Citizens Month in Virginia.