Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha on Tuesday evening reopened the legislative debate on LGBT rights in the workplace, arguing that a bill to protect employee privacy on social media should include specific protections for employees who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
A Chambers amendment to ensure that those privacy rights would extend to LGBT employees was rejected on a 10-26 vote.
Since it is legal to discriminate against LGBT employees in the workplace in Nebraska now, Chambers argued, claims that the bill (LB821) would protect all employees are not credible.
Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill, sponsor of the measure, said his proposal would "apply to everyone" in the workplace.
His bill would prohibit employers from demanding access to the private social media accounts of employees or job applicants.
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Private postings on Facebook and Twitter would be among the protected content.
Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln, who sponsored the LGBT workplace protection bill (LB586) that was killed by the Legislature last week, said he appreciated the Chambers amendment but also would support LB821 without the amendment.
Morfeld has promised to introduce his bill again next year.Â
Claims that there is no discrimination in the workplace are "hogwash," Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln said.
"Baloney," she said.
The Legislature adjourned without taking action on the bill, which will be scheduled for continued debate on Wednesday morning.Â