Restoring Equal Opportunity Act

This proposal would end “disparate impact” lawsuits in jobs and housing. That means people could not sue over policies that seem neutral but end up hurting certain groups more than others, unless there is proof of intent to discriminate. The text says no one may bring a disparate-impact claim under federal job discrimination law and fair housing law, and explains that “disparate impact” is when a neutral rule has a disproportionate effect on protected groups . It also states a broad policy goal to phase out disparate-impact liability as much as possible .

The measure would also cancel certain federal approvals of older civil rights regulations related to job discrimination and other federally assisted programs, saying those approvals and the tied regulations would have no force or effect .

• Who is affected: workers, job seekers, employers, renters, homebuyers, and housing providers, since job and housing disputes could no longer use disparate-impact claims .
• What changes: people could still bring claims for intentional discrimination, but not for disparate impact; some federal civil rights regulations approved by past Presidents would be nullified .
• When: it would take effect if enacted; the text does not provide a specific date .