OAN’s James Meyers
11:43 AM – Monday, December 11, 2023
Colorado lawmakers are considering passing legislation that would ban state employers and landlords from calling another person “fat.”
The lawmakers in one of America’s healthiest states made the announcement on Monday, in order to prevent employers and housing providers from discriminating against people who are overweight or obese.
The move comes following New York’s decision to enact a similar law last week as obesity rates continue to rise across the state and in the United States in general.
Additionally, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey are looking to pass similar bills, while Michigan has had a fatphobia bill in place since 1976.
The Centennial State’s government is looking to pass the new law sometime in 2024.
With a 71% rating, West Virginia is currently known as the state with the highest rate of obesity, followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
However, critics of the proposed laws say that the impact it will make has not been fully considered by lawmakers.
“The extent of the impact and cost of this legislation has not been fully considered,” Kathy Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, said in a statement.
In Texas, a court ruled previously that obesity did not qualify as a “protected characteristic” without a medical clearance.
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