Missouri Discrimination, Workers’ Comp Bills Vetoed

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Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed for the second consecutive year legislation that would have changed rules for lawsuits alleging workplace discrimination (HB 1219) and blocked changes to the workers’ compensation system (SB 572) pushed by Republicans and business groups. Nixon said the workplace discrimination bill contains the same “fundamental flaws” as a measure he previously rejected. He said protection against discrimination for people with disabilities, women, older workers and minorities should be preserved. The workers’ comp bill would have added occupational diseases to the worker’s comp system instead of allowing lawsuits over those claims. It would have barred employees who get hurt on the job from suing their coworkers unless the injury was “purposefully and dangerously” caused.