At the request of Rep. Frank R. Pignanelli, D-Salt Lake, the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel has drafted a bill that would create an advisory council to the Utah Anti-Discrimination Division.
He will discuss the proposed legislation on Wednesday, Dec. 15, during a meeting of the Business, Labor and Economic Development Committee in the State Capitol.The proposed bill would allow the governor to appoint an advisory council of between 11 and 15 members with one small-business representative, one employer representative, one labor representative, one member of the Utah State Bar and the remainder to represent protected classes such as race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age and people with disabilities.
The division director will be an ex-officio non-voting council member and provide staff support to the group. The council would be similar to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council and the Employment Security Advisory Council.
Creation of the council was recommended several months ago by the Governor's Task Force on the Utah Anti-Discrimination Division where people could go if they have a problem with the discrimination process in the state.
Several people testifying during last week's session of the Utah Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights advocated forming an advisory council to make recommendations to the State Industrial Commission and the division on issues of employment discrimination.