FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2021
Rodrigo Soto | rodrigo@kathyfordelegate.com | 703.828.7173
Aaron Palmer | aaron@voteforjohnbell.com | 717.650.8470
New Military Family Anti-Discrimination Legislation Introduced in Virginia
Bills aim to protect military families from employment and housing discrimination
RICHMOND, VA—Delegate Kathy Tran (HD-42) and Senator John Bell (SD-13) have introduced legislation to protect military families from employment and housing discrimination in the Commonwealth. This bill codifies making service members, military spouses, and their dependents a protected class.
“We have made strides to ensure that Virginia is one of the best states for our service members and their families. But more needs to be done. We must combat the injustice of employment and housing discrimination against active duty military members and their families,” said Del. Tran, the patron of House Bill 2161. “The 42nd District is home to many military families and also includes parts of Fort Belvoir. Ending employment discrimination is important to making sure military spouses are not left behind as we rebuild our economy. And we should be doing all we can to welcome military families to our communities. I am grateful to be working with Senator John Bell and a broad coalition of stakeholders to pass this bill.”
"Military members sacrifice for our freedoms on a daily basis and we must do everything we can to protect them from discrimination. Discrimination in any form is unacceptable and I am thankful to have worked with the Blue Star Families of America, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Poverty Law Center, and other advocates on this important issue.” said Sen. Bell, who is carrying the senate counterpart . “I am honored to carry this legislation with Delegate Kathy Tran and we will continue to make Virginia the best state for all military members.”
Military families move often, commonly every two to three years, causing them to deal frequently with the difficulties of relocation and career disruption. In Virginia, if a military family rents a home off base, they can be asked to waive Federal protections provided by the Servicemember Civil Relief Act in order to secure a lease.
“The service members who have committed to protecting the rest of us should never be asked to sign away any of their federal due process rights just so they can rent a decent home for themselves and their families. No other group of tenants are asked to give up their rights in order to rent a home. We should not tolerate this nor any other type of housing discrimination against service members and their families,” said Christie Mara, Director of Housing Advocacy for the Virginia Poverty Law Center.
Military spouses, of whom more than 90% are female, have faced long-standing barriers in the workforce. According to a 2019 national report from Blue Star Families, 77 percent of military spouses reported being underemployed, while 24 percent were unemployed and actively job hunting. Additionally, Blue Star Families reported that 21 percent of spouses are “not at all likely” to identify their military affiliation when applying for jobs in the Capitol region. This job insecurity comes as military spouses are shown to be more likely to be college educated than all adults their age in the general population.
"Blue Star Families believe that military spouses ought not be punished for their service to our country. We therefore support Delegate Tran's and Senator Bell's efforts to protect military spouses from employment discrimination, and are grateful for their attention to this issue.” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, Co-Founder & CEO, Blue Star Families.
“The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce has long supported expanding Virginia’s prohibitions on discrimination in employment, and is proud to support including active duty military spouses and children,” said Julie Coons, President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber. “Virginia has one of the highest concentrations of active duty military in the country, and also the second highest concentration of military families who say they can’t reliably afford to put food on the table. These families have earned the right to the same economic opportunities as all Virginians.”
“The Prince William Chamber of Commerce strongly supports House Bill 2161 to protect military members, spouses, and their dependents from discrimination in employment and housing. Servicemembers and their families have sacrificed so much for our country and deserve the full protections of state and federal laws from all forms of discrimination,” said Ross Snare, Senior Director of Operations and Government Affairs for the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.
“The Hampton Roads Chamber is proud to have a large population of military personnel in the Hampton Roads region. It is always the position of our Chamber to support our men and women in uniform, their families, and our veterans. HB2161 and SB1410 prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and housing on the basis of a person's status as active military or a military spouse. We thank the patrons for being champions for those that serve,” said Emily Hasty, Executive Director of Government Affairs for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
###