DENVER—Job postings that state unemployed applicants need not apply will remain legal as a Republican state House committee rejected a discrimination measure.

The House Economic & Business Development Committee voted 7-5 Wednesday against a proposal to forbid employers from stating in job postings that unemployed candidates would not be considered.

The measure was proposed by Democratic Rep. Dan Pabon of Denver, who argued that residents struggling to find work are fighting uphill against discriminatory jobs ads. Pabon pointed out that employers already have regulations on how to post jobs. For example, they can’t state that certain races won’t be considered.

Republicans countered that being unemployed is not a legally protected class and that advertising limits could hamper employer free-speech rights.

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Online:

House Bill 1134: http://goo.gl/v6GJd