Camille Olson's Testimony Before Senate HELP Committee on ENDA Reported in the Bay Area Reporter and Bay Windows
"Senate Holds First-Ever Hearing on Inclusive ENDA"

Camille Olson's testimony before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on November 5th regarding the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA) was reported in the November 5, 2009 Bay Area Reporter and Bay Windows article, "Senate Holds First-Ever Hearing on Inclusive ENDA." Camille's testimony provided helpful insights into the legal ambiguities of some of the current language and offered practical solutions to address those uncertainties to ensure employers and employees understand their rights and obligations under ENDA. According to the article, Camille reiterated concerns she raised at the House hearing in September. She did not take a position for or against ENDA, but urged the committee to make sure the legislation provides clear guidance regarding whether employers are required to modify existing restroom facilities. The article noted that the law states that it does not apply to "denial of access to shared shower or dressing facilities in which being seen unclothed is unavoidable." It does, however, require the employer to provide "reasonable access to adequate facilities" for the transgender employee. Camille also pointed out that it is "absolutely critical to have clarity" on when such facilities must be modified.