New Hampshire expands anti-discrimination protections

New Hampshire has enacted legislation (House Bill 608) that expands gender identity protections. House Bill 608 is effective immediately.

Background:

In July 2018, New Hampshire added gender identity to its list of characteristics that are protected from discrimination. Under the law, "gender identity" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth.

House Bill 608:

House Bill 608 expands New Hampshire's gender identity protections to other areas of the law barring discrimination, including prohibiting:

• Employers from using advertisements or employment applications to express, directly or indirectly, any limitation, specification, or discrimination as to gender identity.
• Owners, managers, and employees of any place of public accommodation from posting a notice or advertisement that indicates any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges will be refused, withheld from, or denied to any person on account of gender identity, or that the patronage of any person belonging to any particular gender identity is unwelcome.
• Health insurers from discriminating against individuals based on gender identity regarding any covered services, medications, supplies, or durable medical equipment.

Compliance Recommendations:

New Hampshire employers should review their policies, practices, and supervisor training to ensure compliance with House Bill 608. Please contact your dedicated service professional with any questions.