The Senate Labor and Pensions Committee heard Sen. Randolph’s SB 133, on protective orders and employment, providing that an employer cannot deny unemployment benefits based on the filing of a protection order. Section 1 was deleted by a voice vote of the committee. The second section of the bill passed, prohibiting an employer from discriminating against an employee, including termination of employment, based on the filing of a protection order. The legislation permits an employee who was discriminated against in violation of this statute to bring a civil action against the employer. A representative of the AFL-CIO supported the bill as amended as did the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The Indiana Manufacturer’s Association objected to the new private cause of action created in the legislation, as did the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The bill passed as amended, 7-4.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/133.