Missouri Black Caucus Urges Nixon to Veto Workplace Discrimination Bill

The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus is urging Gov. Jay Nixon to veto a workplace discrimination bill that recently gained legislative approval.

In a letter to Nixon, the caucus said Senate Bill 188 would reverse important legal protections and roll back decades of progress on civil rights. The letter was signed by most caucus members.

Nixon’s office has said it will give the bill a comprehensive review.

Supporters say the bill makes Missouri laws match federal civil rights laws. They say the legislation encourages job creation and was a priority of business groups. The workplace discrimination bill topped the agenda for the “Fix the Six” initiative, a package of six legislative proposals backed by business interests.

The Senate approved SB 188 in early March and sent it to the House, which had passed its own bill in late February.

SB 188 would create a higher legal standard for people who file lawsuits over being fired. Plaintiffs would have to prove that discrimination was a “motivating factor” rather than a “contributing” factor in their firing. It also limits how much money could be collected.

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