Customer Non-Discrimination Act

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Mrs. Watson Coleman, would update the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to officially ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This means businesses could not turn someone away or treat them differently because of who they love or how they identify.
• The plan expands the definition of "public places" to include many more businesses than current laws cover. It would apply to retail stores, online shops, banks, gas stations, and even professional services like lawyers, accountants, or doctors.
• It specifically protects the right of individuals to use shared spaces, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and dressing rooms, that match their gender identity. It also prevents businesses from treating people poorly because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
• The bill clarifies that religious freedom laws cannot be used as a legal excuse to ignore these non-discrimination rules. This is intended to ensure that the protections are applied the same way across all covered businesses and services.
• The rules would also cover transportation services like trains, buses, taxis, and airlines. This ensures that people have equal access to travel and public transit without fear of being denied service based on their identity.