As Congress approaches summer recess, key legislation affecting the national GLBT community lies in wait in both chambers.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), hit the House April 24.

If passed, ENDA (HR 2015) would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Under present law, 33 states allow employers to fire an individual who is otherwise qualified based on sexual orientation. Forty-two states allow the same policy based on gender identity.

ENDA was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Judiciary Committee April 24.

On May 4, the bill moved to the House Subcommittees on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

Dave Nobel, director of public policy for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said he doesn’t expect the bill to move forward until September at the earliest.

“The House is very focused on the budget at this time of year,” he said.

Noble said a Senate version, sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), is expected before August.

The House passed The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act in a 237-180 vote on May 3.

Introduced by Rep. Jon Conyers (D-Mich.) March 20, this bill (HR 1592) would expand the federal hate-crime categories to include violence against individuals based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Current federal law applies hate crimes to acts of violence on the basis of race, religion, color or national origin.

HR 1592 would also strengthen state and local efforts by allowing the Justice Department to aid in the hate-crime investigations and prosecutions. The bill would also provide $10 million in grants over the next two years to state and local governments to help cover the high costs involved in hate-crime cases.

Kennedy introduced a corresponding bill in the Senate, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, on April 12.

Named after the college student who was fatally attacked in 1998 because of his sexual orientation, the bill contains identical language to the House bill.

The bill (SB 1105) was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee April 12, where it still awaits a hearing.

Rep. Martin Meehan (D-Mass.) introduced The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1464) Feb. 24.

The bill aims to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces.

The bill was referred to the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel on March 28.

Steve Ralls, director of communications for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a national nonprofit group that works to eliminate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” said there are presently no votes scheduled, but SLDN is hoping to see the House bill move forward before the end of the year.

Ralls said he also expects a Senate version to be introduced before the end of the year.

“We’re not ready to name names yet,” he said. “But there are a number of senators who are ready to move forward at this point. It’s just a matter of who will lead the effort in the Senate.”

In Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, a non-discrimination bill is expected to progress by early fall.

HB 1400, introduced by Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.) June 13, was referred to the State Government Committee.

The bill would protect those who work or live in the state from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, housing or credit.

Under current law, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination based on sex, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, color, race, a non-job-related handicap or disability or the use of a guide or support animal needed due to blindness, deafness or physical handicap.

Stacey Sobel, executive director of GLBT-rights group Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, said the bill is not expected to move forward until state budget legislation is approved over the summer.

“We’re going to use that time to continue to add cosponsors and educate legislators on the need to move on this legislation and get it passed,” she said.

Sobel added that Democratic Chair of the State Government Committee, Rep. Babette Josephs (Dist. 182), promised to give the bill a hearing in early fall.

The bill’s Senate version (SB 761), introduced by Sen. Pat Browne (R-16th Dist.), awaits a hearing in the Judiciary Committee.