The West Virginia House of Delegates on
Monday advanced a bill that would introduce ride sharing companies
such as Uber and Lyft to the state.
But an attempt to prohibit the
companies from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and
gender identity failed, the
AP reported.
Delegate Stephen Skinner, a Democrat
from Jefferson, introduced an amendment to the bill which would
require the companies to adopt an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination
policy.
“I believe that it is a dangerous
thing to elevate as a protected status a characteristic that is a
chosen characteristic,” Republican Delegate Tom Fast said in
arguing against the amendment. “I very much support this bill as
it is written … but I certainly oppose this amendment.”
The amendment died on a 65-27 vote.
The bill now heads to the Senate.