EEOC Settles Sex Bias Case

The New York State Department of Correctional Services will pay nearly $1 million to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the two offices announced on May 21, 2008. The EEOC and the United States had charged the Corrections Department with violating federal law by providing inferior benefits to female employees on maternity leave.

President Signs Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

On May 21, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008. This new law prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment.

New Jersey Governor Signs Family Leave Insurance Legislation

On May 2, 2008, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed an historic family leave insurance bill, propelling New Jersey to become only the third state in the nation to enact a family leave program for workers caring for sick family members, newborn and newly-adopted children. The state of California implemented its program in 2004 while the state of Washington passed legislation last year.