Bill > HB23

This bill renames the State Commission for Human Rights to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights and makes several changes to its operations and scope. It clarifies that the governor can remove commissioners for cause, such as incompetence or misconduct, after providing them with notice and an opportunity to be heard. The bill also modifies the process for investigating and resolving civil rights complaints, allowing for written agreements to be reached before an investigator makes a determination, and these agreements will be binding. Furthermore, the commission is now required to annually review civil rights data and produce a report with recommendations, which will be made available electronically to the public, governor, and legislature. The definition of "employer" is broadened to include certain organizations that are not exclusively social or fraternal and are not organized for private profit, while also establishing an affirmative defense for religious organizations hiring employees of a particular religion for religious activities. Finally, the bill allows municipalities to establish local civil rights commissions and sets an effective date of January 1, 2027.