No Grounds for Discrimination Act

Summary#

This bill would make it illegal for coffee shops, cafes, tea houses, and similar informal dining places that serve the public to refuse service or otherwise discriminate against people based on religion, race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The bill says these places are covered if they primarily serve coffee, tea, or light refreshments and if their operations affect commerce or their discrimination is supported by State action. Violations would be enforceable in the same manner as violations of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What it means for you#

• Customers: You would be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of goods and services at covered coffee shops and similar places, regardless of the listed protected characteristics.
• Business owners/operators: If your establishment meets the bill's definition, you could not deny service or segregate customers for the listed reasons. The bill ties enforcement to the procedures used for Title II violations.
• Scope: The bill applies only to establishments that serve the public, primarily serve coffee/tea/light refreshments, and either affect commerce or involve state-supported discrimination.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill, introduced by Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Jared Moskowitz, would extend protections to ensure people can access coffee shops and similar informal dining places without discrimination and would use the enforcement framework of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.