Solons To Introduce Anti-Bias Bill

In unprecedented move today, the Idaho Legislature’s House Ways & Means Committee - the leadership-controlled panel that rarely meets until late in the session - has announced a meeting for 5 p.m. to consider introducing the “Add the Words” bill, the measure to amend the Idaho Human Rights Act to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to ban discrimination on those bases. House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, will present the bill, along with Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, and Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise. Once the bill’s introduced, that would clear the way for a full hearing, which House Speaker Scott Bedke and House State Affairs Chairman Tom Loertscher said will be scheduled the week of Jan. 26/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here .