MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont lawmakers are considering a proposed constitutional amendment to add an equal protection clause.
Proposal 4, under consideration by a key Senate panel, would provide for equal protections and clarify that people cannot discriminate based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
Backers of the amendment say its aimed at recent rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court.
“There’s been a number of places where equal rights and protections appear to be at odds. Voting rights is one of those areas where the court has made rulings on affirmative action,” said Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington County.
Sears says lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposal in the coming days.
A constitutional amendment is a high bar to achieve. Two separate Legislatures have to vote on the bill and Vermont voters would also have to give it the greenlight.