Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act of 2021

The Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act of 2021 seeks to strengthen federal laws against racial discrimination in economic activities, such as signing contracts, seeking employment, or engaging in commercial transactions. The bill would lower the legal burden of proof for plaintiffs, allowing them to win a case by showing that discrimination was a "motivating factor" in a decision rather than the sole cause. Additionally, it would permit lawsuits based on "disparate impact," meaning a policy could be challenged if it negatively affects a specific racial group even if there was no proven intent to discriminate.

For everyday citizens, this legislation would make it easier to bring civil rights claims against businesses or employers and would prohibit the use of forced arbitration or "fine print" waivers that currently prevent some individuals from taking these disputes to court. It also expands who can sue, allowing individuals to seek legal recourse even if they were not the primary party named in a contract. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary but has not yet been passed into law.