Republicans push their 'equality' bills. Businesses, Democrats see them as divisive [View all]

The Senate State Affairs Committee, on party-line votes, advanced two bills touted by their Republican sponsors as “equality” bills on Monday.

North Idaho Republican Rep. Heather Scott’s House Bill 440 prohibits the state from discriminating against or granting special treatment based on sex, race or color in public employment, education or contracting.

“We just need to treat people equal and fair,” Scott told the committee, saying the bill’s language “will protect all citizens to be treated as individuals.”

House Bill 500, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, and Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene, would ban transgender girls and women from participating in sports that align with their gender identity.

Read more: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article241027881.html