Two bills aiming to prevent religious and racial discriminations in employment in state educational institutions have been introduced in the Assembly by Samuel Weisman, Assemblyman from New York.
The first bill makes it a misdemeanor for all universities, colleges, professional schools, libraries and other educational institutions supported by public funds or by contributions from the general public to discriminate against anyone for reasons of religion, race or color.
BARS QUERIES ON FAITH
The second bill prohibits any university, college or other such institution in New York State from inquiring into the religious belief of an applicant seeking employment in the institution.
Both bills will be referred to the Judicial Committee of the Assembly and will take effect immediately if passed there. Both bills were introduced by Assemblyman Weisman as an amendment to the existing Civil Rights Law. The bill urging the prohibition of religious discriminations with regard to persons seeking employment in educational institutions reads as follows:
Inquiry concerning religion or religious affiliations of person seeking employment or official position in certain positions is to be prohibited. No person, agency, bureau, corporation or association employed or maintained to obtain or aid in obtaining positions for teachers, principals, superintendents, clerks or other employes in the public schools, public libraries, kindergartens, academies, colleges, universities, professional schools, extension courses, or other educational facilities, supported in whole or in part by public funds or by contributions solicited from the general public of the State of New York, and no individual or individuals conducting or employed by or interested directly or indirectly in such an agency, bureau, corporation or association, and no board of education, trustee of a school district, superintendent, principal or teacher of a public school or other official or employee of a board of education, shall directly or indirectly ask, indicate or transmit orally or in writing the religion or religious affiliation of any person seeking employment or official position in the public schools of the State of New York.
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