Bill > SB1053

This bill modifies the Missouri Human Rights Act by removing the availability of attorney fees when a public employer is involved in a discrimination case. Specifically, the bill adds a new definition for "public employer" as any entity covered by section 105.711 and amends the provision regarding court relief to stipulate that attorney fees can only be awarded in cases not involving a public employer as a defendant. The bill maintains the existing provisions that allow for other types of relief, such as injunctions, actual and punitive damages, and court costs, but explicitly prevents attorney fees from being awarded when a public employer is one of the parties in the case. This change could potentially make it more challenging for individuals to pursue discrimination claims against public employers by removing the financial incentive of recoverable attorney fees. The bill also retains other existing provisions of the Missouri Human Rights Act related to defining discrimination, protected classes, and the process for filing and pursuing discrimination complaints.

Justice

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=147