Department of State Inclusivity Act of 2020
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (10 Mar 2020): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
What this bill does
The Department of State Inclusivity Act of 2020 is a two-part bill focused on diversity within the State Department and on addressing historical discrimination against LGBT employees. Title I would create an Office of the Chief Diversity Officer reporting directly to the Secretary of State, require regular data collection and public reporting on the demographics of the Department's workforce (including hiring, promotion, and separation patterns), mandate exit interviews, expand anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training, direct that Foreign Service exams be offered in multiple U.S. time zones, double the Diplomats in Residence Program, and pilot gender-neutral language on employee evaluation forms. Participation in data collection would be voluntary, with employee information subject to existing privacy protections. Title II, called the "LOVE Act of 2020," addresses the "Lavender Scare," a period when State Department employees were fired for their sexual orientation; it directs a review of the termination records of affected former employees, creation of a review process and a "Reconciliation Board," an official apology, and a permanent exhibit on this history, among other measures.
The bill primarily affects current and former State Department employees, particularly women, minorities, veterans, and LGBT individuals who may have been affected by past discriminatory firings, as well as applicants to the Foreign Service and Department leadership responsible for implementing new diversity and accountability measures.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 10, 2020, by Senator Robert Menendez and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, so it did not become law. For it to advance, it would need to be reintroduced in a subsequent Congress and go through committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and presidential signature.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Department of State Inclusivity Act of 2020
This bill establishes measures to promote diversity at the Department of State, and it offers a formal apology from Congress for encouraging policies at the State Department such as the Lavender Scare, which resulted in the wrongful termination of at least 1,000 people for alleged homosexuality.
The bill establishes a Chief Diversity Officer at the State Department to lead inclusion initiatives, support recruitment of a diverse workforce, recommend trainings on inclusivity, and ensure continued compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The bill requires the State Department to
• report certain data regarding the diversity of its workforce;
• conduct interviews with current employees, and exit interviews with separating employees, to receive feedback on workplace policies, professional development opportunities, and other issues affecting diversity;
• expand anti-harassment, antidiscrimination, and implicit bias training and make such training mandatory for certain individuals;
• develop a pilot program to use gender-neutral terms in evaluation forms;
Timeline
10 Mar 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Common questions
- What does S. 3430 do?
- The Department of State Inclusivity Act of 2020 is a two-part bill focused on diversity within the State Department and on addressing historical discrimination against LGBT employees. Title I would create an Office of the Chief Diversity Officer reporting directly to the Secretary of State, require regular data collection and public reporting on the demographics of the Department's workforce (including hiring, promotion, and separation patterns), mandate exit interviews, expand anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training, direct that Foreign Service exams be offered in multiple U.S. time zones, double the Diplomats in Residence Program, and pilot gender-neutral language on employee evaluation forms. Participation in data collection would be voluntary, with employee information subject to existing privacy protections. Title II, called the "LOVE Act of 2020," addresses the "Lavender Scare," a period when State Department employees were fired for their sexual orientation; it directs a review of the termination records of affected former employees, creation of a review process and a "Reconciliation Board," an official apology, and a permanent exhibit on this history, among other measures. The bill primarily affects current and former State Department employees, particularly women, minorities, veterans, and LGBT individuals who may have been affected by past discriminatory firings, as well as applicants to the Foreign Service and Department leadership responsible for implementing new diversity and accountability measures. The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 10, 2020, by Senator Robert Menendez and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, so it did not become law. For it to advance, it would need to be reintroduced in a subsequent Congress and go through committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and presidential signature.
- Has S. 3430 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3430. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3430?
- S. 3430 was sponsored by Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] (D-NJ), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3430?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (10 Mar 2020).
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