State lawmakers blocked a vote on whether Arizona should ratify the federal Equal Rights Amendment.
HCR 2030 would put Arizona on record to support a constitutional amendment that would say equal rights under the law shall not be denied on account of sex.
The measure was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, but Republican Rep. Quang Nguyen refused to give it a hearing.
A motion was used to debate other issues when Democratic Rep. Patty Contreras attempted to bring it directly to the House floor, calling the bill necessary.
“As women, we face sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. As women, we face pregnancy discrimination. Arizona is just one of 12 states that has not ratified the ERA." Contreras said.
The amendment was initially proposed in 1972. It takes 38 states to ratify.
