(AP) – Arkansas’ highest court has halted efforts to depose
two lawmakers and seek documents related to the state’s ban on local measures banning discrimination against LGBT people.The state Supreme Court on Thursday granted a motion to stay discovery in a lower court case over the constitutionality of a state law prohibiting cities from enacting protections not covered by state law. Arkansas’ civil rights law doesn’t cover sexual orientation or gender identity. The court also said it will consider the state’s appeal of the discovery issue.
two lawmakers and seek documents related to the state’s ban on local measures banning discrimination against LGBT people.The state Supreme Court on Thursday granted a motion to stay discovery in a lower court case over the constitutionality of a state law prohibiting cities from enacting protections not covered by state law. Arkansas’ civil rights law doesn’t cover sexual orientation or gender identity. The court also said it will consider the state’s appeal of the discovery issue.
The state had sought to halt the depositions and requests for other documents, saying it would have “eviscerated” long-standing legal protections for lawmakers.
The court earlier this year ruled a Fayetteville anti-discrimination ordinance violated the state law but did not rule on the law’s constitutionality.
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