Seattle’s Caste Bias Bill Renews Calls for Federal Guidance (1)

Seattle’s first-in-the-nation ordinance to ban caste bias takes on a murky area of civil rights law that some advocates have urged the EEOC to clarify—whether and to what extent federal law covers discrimination within the caste system.

The city council passed legislation Tuesday that adds caste to the protected categories in Seattle’s anti-discrimination law. The ordinance, which awaits the signature of Mayor Bruce Harrell, would ban caste-related bias in employment, places of public accommodation, housing, and other settings.

The mayor’s office didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on whether he supports the measure.

The legislation defines caste as a ...