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Beyond the federally protected classes (which include race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, and veteran status), Rhode Island regulates discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, as well as gender identity or expression. The state also prohibits discrimination on the basis of a positive HIV test result, or perception of a positive test, and prohibits requiring an HIV test as a condition of employment.
Employer defined
“Employer” includes the state and all political subdivisions of the state and any person in this state employing four or more individuals, and any person acting in the interest of an employer directly or indirectly.
Sexual orientation
The unlawful employment practices and exemptions are similar to those for other protected classes. “Sexual orientation” means having or being perceived as having an orientation for heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality. “Gender identity or expression” includes a person’s actual or perceived gender, as well as a person’s gender identity, gender-related self image, gender-related appearance, or gender-related expression; whether or not that gender identity is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s sex at birth.
Posting
Every covered employer, employment agency, and labor union must post in a conspicuous place or places on his or her premises a notice prepared or approved by the Commission for Human Rights which sets forth excerpts of this law and other relevant information which the Commission deems necessary.
HIV testing
No person, agency, organization, or legal entity may discriminate against an individual on the basis of a positive HIV test result, or perception of a positive test, in housing, education, employment, the granting of credit, public accommodation, or delivery of services, nor shall an HIV test be required as a condition of employment.
Contact
Regulations
Rhode Island General Laws Title 28, Chapter 5, Fair Employment Practices
www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE28/28-5/INDEX.HTM
Rhode Island General Laws Title 42, Chapter 112, The Civil Rights Act of 1990
www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE42/42-112/INDEX.HTM
Commission Rules and Regulations
www.richr.ri.gov/rules.html
HIV testing, Rhode Island General Laws Title 23, Chapter 6.3, Section 23-6.3-11
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE23/23-6.3/23-6.3-11.HTM
Contact
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Regulations
See applicable discrimination topic.