HB 1406 -- Human Rights

Sponsor:  Bray

The bill defines "disability" as a physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or more of a person's major life
activities; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as
having such an impairment that with or without reasonable
accommodation does not interfere with job performance, use of a
place of public accommodation, or occupying a dwelling.
However, disability does not include current illegal drug use or
addiction.  A drug abuser may be considered disabled if he or
she has successfully completed or is participating in a
supervised drug rehabilitation program, is no longer addicted to
or engaged in drug use, or is erroneously perceived as a drug
abuser or drug addict.  The term disability replaces the word
handicap in discriminatory practices.

The bill clarifies that it is an unlawful discriminatory
practice to coerce, intimidate, interfere or threaten any person
from exercising their rights granted or protected in housing,
commercial real estate, or the buying, selling or renting of
property.  The bill also clarifies that the Missouri Commission
on Human Rights will issue to an aggrieved party a right to sue
letter to bring a civil action within 90 days of such notice
against the respondent for alleged discriminatory practices.