Baltimore County considers anti-bias bill

A bill to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in Baltimore County was introduced on Jan. 17. If passed, the measure would add those two categories to the protected classes already included in Article 3, Title 3, Subtitle 11 of the Baltimore County Code.

Council member Tom Quirk (D-Catonsville) introduced the measure. The primary aim of the bill is to protect transgender individuals from discrimination in employment. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14 with a vote expected on Feb. 21.

A similar bill was passed in Howard County in December. Baltimore City and Montgomery County already bar anti-trans discrimination in employment.

The inclusion of “sexual orientation” is necessary in the county bill because the state non-discrimination law that was passed in 2001 provided exemptions to four counties including Baltimore County.