Yesterday the Senate General Laws Committee took up HB 1472 sponsored by Mark Cole (R-Spotsylvania) which would have permitted employers to fire employees that don't speak English at the workplace. 

Actually, that description is too simple.  You see, Virginia is an "at will" employment state which means that an employer can fire an employee -- or an employee can quit -- at any time for pretty much any reason, unless there is a legally prohibited discrimination such as race or gender.

In other words, if your firm has a job that requires English proficiency, think television reporter or law firm receptionist, then you can fire an employee if they can't handle that requirement.  You can also fire an employee that fails to respond to instructions, say when those instructions are given by the boss in English. 

That's the law NOW.

The patron's argument for passing HB 1472 referenced a "case in Massachusetts" where a Federal suit was filed over a firing due to lack of English proficiency.

Last time I checked we don't have jurisdiction over Massachusetts.  Nor do we dictate Federal law. 

I try to avoid voting for bills that restate the existing law.  I also hesitate to do it when the bill appears to target workers that don't speak English as a native tongue.

It's hard as he(ck) to learn a new language.  I found that out first-hand in 1990 when I worked in Japan as a school teacher for a year.  Foreign workers and new immigrants inevitably struggle at learning American English with its myriad idioms and idiosyncrasies.

(Here's a secret:  a lot of native-born Americans struggle too.  Don't tell anyone ...)

HB 1472 didn't grant any new rights to employers.  However, it did tell foreign-born speakers that they are "on notice" of a firing if they don't speak proper English at work. 

We don't need to send that message.  Foreign-born workers, both entrepeneurs and labor, are driving our economy in northern Virginia and the tax receipts benefit the whole state.  That's a fact.

I have no problem on cracking down on workplaces that use illegal immigrant labor.  I have no problem deporting non-citizens that controvert out laws.   But there's no need to target legal non-English speakers who are working hard to be successful.

If you want to teach them a lesson about using English, then send them to English class.  

P.S.  The bill failed in committee on a tie vote, 7-7.