Birmingham human rights ordinance

The Birmingham human rights ordinance is a proposed city ordinance considered by the Birmingham City Council

2013 proposal

A proposed ordinance was submitted to the Council's Public Safety Committee by District 5 representative Johnathan Austin on March 6, 2013. His proposed ordinance would have created a Birmingham Human Rights Commission to enforce a broad statement of rights paralleling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948 by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The ordinance would seek to end discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation for any reason other than individual merit. Specifically it would seek to prevent discrimination on grounds of "race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business".

Under the terms of the proposal, the Commission would be empowered by the Council to investigate claims of discrimination, and could subpoena records from individuals and businesses. If those requests were not answered, the commission could levy fines of up to $500, and if they were met with interference or falsification, jail sentences could be imposed. The results of the Commission's investigations would be reported to the City Council for possible action.

References

• Gray, Jeremy (March 5, 2016) "Birmingham ordinance would create Human Rights Commission." The Birmingham News

External links

• 2013 anti-discrimination ordinance as submitted by Austin to the Birmingham City Council Public Safety Committee