Religious discrimination - Hawaii

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Employer defined

“Employer” means any person, including the state or any of its political subdivisions and any agent of such person, having one or more employees, but does not include the United States.

Unlawful employment practices

The unlawful employment practices and exemptions are similar to those under the federal Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion. The exemptions include such things as bona fide occupational qualifications.

The state law does not prohibit or prevent any religious or denominational institution or organization, or any organization operated for charitable or educational purposes, that is operated, supervised, or controlled by or in connection with a religious organization, from giving preference to individuals of the same religion or denomination or from making a selection calculated to promote the religious principles for which the organization is established or maintained.

State

Contact

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

Regulations

Haw. Rev. Stat., Chapter 378, Part I

Haw. Code R., Title 12, Chapter 46, Subchapter 7, Religious Discrimination

Federal

Contact

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Regulations

29 CFR Part 1605, Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion