ATC, Inc offered health insurance benefits to unmarried same-sex domestic partners but not to unmarried, cohabiting heterosexual couples. Ray, an employee of ATC, Inc, challenged the benefit plan, claiming that it was in violation of Title VII of the

Question

Civil Rights Act. Under the Civil Rights Act, an employer may not discriminate against any individual on the basis of sex. Discuss the tools that a court may use in interpreting the Civil Rights Act.

Answer 1

There are three primary tools that a court may use in interpreting a statute: plain meaning rule; legislative history and intent; and public policy. According to the plain meaning rule, when a statute's words have ordinary, everyday significance, the court will simply apply the commonsense definition. If the language is unclear, the court must look at the law's history to determine the intent of the legislature. If the legislative history is unclear, courts will rely on general public policies.