The District of Columbia recently amended the D.C. Human Rights Act (DCHRA) by adding a new protective status, broadening who is covered under the act. The District also modified the DCRHA to redefine how plaintiffs may prove harassment claims within the District. The new law, which took effect on October 1, 2022, is entitled the Human Rights Enhancement Amendment Act of 2022 (DCHREAA). D.C. courts typically look to federal case law when interpreting the District’s antidiscrimination statute except when there is a departure in similarity. The redefinition of harassment will more likely than not make federal sexual harassment case law inapplicable or largely unpersuasive with respect to sexual harassment claims brought under the amended law within the District.
New Protections for Persons With “Homeless Status”
The DCHREAA adds “homeless status” as a new protected category to the already lengthy list of protected categories. Under the act, homeless status encompasses four separate categories:
BJP national spokesperson and MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Gandhi’s political understanding was “virtually non-existent” and alleged that he lacked even a “fundamental understanding of Indian politics”.