Bill > SB117

This bill modifies several aspects of Alaska's State Commission for Human Rights, primarily renaming it to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights. The bill establishes new provisions for commissioner removal, allowing the governor to remove a commissioner for cause such as incompetence, neglect of duty, or actions that undermine the commission's work, with a requirement for due process including providing charges and an opportunity for a public hearing. The bill also updates the commission's annual reporting requirements, mandating an electronic report by November 15 each year that reviews civil rights problems and may include legislative recommendations. Additionally, the bill provides an affirmative defense for religious organizations in employment discrimination cases when hiring employees for ecclesiastical or religious roles, and modifies the definition of "employer" to slightly narrow the types of organizations excluded from the commission's purview. The bill makes conforming changes across multiple sections of Alaska state law to reflect the name change from "Human Rights" to "Civil Rights" and updates various references to the commission. These changes aim to clarify the commission's operations, reporting responsibilities, and scope of authority while maintaining its core mission of addressing civil rights issues in the state.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

State Affairs (S)

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB117