Bill > HB1094

This bill modifies Missouri's laws on discrimination by expanding protections and clarifying legal procedures. Specifically, the bill adds "race" as a protected category and defines it to include traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists. It also revises the definition of "employer" to remove an exemption for religious organizations and clarifies that a religious or sectarian entity is defined as an organization primarily engaged in religious activities. The bill changes the legal process for filing discrimination complaints by allowing individuals to directly file a civil action in court without first going through the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. It also modifies damage caps for employment discrimination cases based on the size of the employer, with maximum damages ranging from $50,000 for smaller employers to $500,000 for large employers with over 500 employees. Additionally, the bill eliminates a previous provision that placed the burden of proof entirely on the plaintiff in employment-related discrimination cases, potentially making it easier for individuals to prove discrimination claims.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1094&year=2025&code=R