SB375 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Linda Coleman-MadisonVivian Davis FiguresBobby D. Singleton

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Discrimination, to make it unlawful to deny an individual full and equal employment of public accommodations based on certain protected classes, to make it unlawful for a local school board to discriminate against an individual based on certain protected classes, and to make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an applicant or employee based on certain protected classes

Summary

SB375 would ban discrimination in public accommodations, schools, and employment based on protected characteristics and create a private right of action to enforce those protections.

What This Bill Does

It makes it unlawful to deny full and equal enjoyment of public accommodations because of protected classes such as race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin (including protective hairstyles). It also bars discrimination by local school boards, employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations based on those same protected classes, and creates a state private right of action to enforce these protections. The bill provides remedies like court orders to comply, back pay or benefits, liquidated damages if discrimination is willful, and protections against retaliation; it also sets definitions and narrowly lists exemptions for certain private clubs, housing, and religious organizations.

Who It Affects

• Public-facing customers and users of places of public accommodation who could be denied goods, services, or access based on protected characteristics (race, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, and related definitions).
• Employees, job applicants, and members of labor organizations, as well as students and others affected by school boards, who could face discrimination by employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or local school boards.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits denial of full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, privileges, and accommodations at places of public accommodation based on race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin; defines place of public accommodation and lists exemptions (private clubs, certain housing, religious organizations).
• Bans discrimination by local school boards against individuals based on protected classes (race, sex, disability, national origin).
• Bans discrimination by employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations against individuals based on protected classes, including membership and referral actions.
• Creates a private cause of action for violations, with remedies including compliance, back wages/benefits, and liquidated damages for willful discrimination; prohibits charging plaintiffs court fees and allows prevailing party attorney fees.
• Includes anti-retaliation protections for individuals who enforce rights, testify, assist, or exercise rights under the act.
• Provides definitions for key terms, including protective hairstyles and protected classes.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Discrimination