Wayne County Commissioners unanimously adopted a Human Rights Ordinance for Wayne County today.
The ordinance prohibits discriminations against individuals on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, family status, condition of pregnancy, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, veteran status or political affiliation.
It also bans discrimination in housing, public accommodations and employment, among other specified areas. Cities and charter townships in the county are not prohibited from adopting ordinances of their own.
The proposed ordinance also was unanimously approved Sept. 22 by the commission’s Committee on Health and Human Services. A copy of the proposed ordinance is available on the Committee on Health and Human Services section of the county webpage, www.waynecounty.com.
“This says that Wayne County is a place where you can come, live and raise your family without any concerns,” said Commissioner Tim Killeen (D-Detroit), the ordinance’s sponsor and Health & Human Services Committee chairman. “This is an excellent bookend to Executive (Warren C.) Evans’ Welcoming Wayne County initiative.”
Ordinance enforcement will be overseen by a newly created seven-member Human Rights Commission to be appointed by the Wayne County executive with approval by the county commission.
The ordinance becomes Chapter 55 of the Wayne County Code of Ordinances and will officially be known as the Wayne County Human Rights Ordinance.
Commission Chairwoman Alisha Bell said the ordinance will be shared with other counties throughout the state and nation interested in adopting similar ordinances of their own.
Members of the Committee on Health & Human Services conducted a public hearing on the ordinance in July.
Organizations including Fair and Equal Michigan and Equality Michigan, LGBT Detroit as well as Realtor associations representing Detroit and Grosse Pointe, had input on the ordinance, Killeen said.