HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ A bill that attempts to ban discrimination against unemployed job seekers is advancing through the Connecticut General Assembly.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a bill Friday, 81-to-55, that prohibits an employer from posting a help-wanted-ad that says applications must be currently employed to be considered for the job.

It also prohibits employers and employment agencies from disqualifying a person from employment if they’re unemployed, refusing to refer a person for a job and limiting that person’s access to information about a job.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the legislation does not make unemployed individuals a protected class or prevent the best candidate from being chosen.

Republicans said the legislation dictates who businesses can hire and puts them at risk of lawsuits.

The bill now moves to the Senate.