Rockland Legislator Proposes New County Human Rights Law

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County Legislator Alden H. Wolfe is proposing a new Rockland County Human Rights Law that would expand civil rights protections, penalize those who commit acts of bias, and empower the Human Rights Commission. “On both the national and local level, we’ve all become even more attuned to acts of hatred, discrimination and division,” Wolfe said. “It’s one thing to talk about it. It’s another thing to do something about it. We need to send one clear and unambiguous message that we are one in Rockland County.”

Speaking to community members outside the Allison-Parris County Office Building Thursday, Wolfe explained the legislation is not meant to supplant existing protections under state or federal law, but to enhance them, according to a spokeswoman. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Under current local law, the Rockland County Human Rights Commission acts largely in an advisory capacity. Legislator Wolfe’s proposal would give the Commission strong investigatory, adjudicatory and enforcement authority.

The proposed comprehensive Rockland County Human Rights Law will also address issues of discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation, and apply to both the private and public sector.

Additionally, the proposal also creates civil penalties in cases of bias involving vandalism, defacement, threats, etc. that are motivated by focusing on differences when it comes to race, religion, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation and so forth.

“This law would expand protections to individuals historically overlooked, including the transgender community and people of all income and immigration statuses,” Wolfe said.

Also attending were Toney L. Earl, Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature; Willie Trotman, president of the Spring Valley branch of the NAACP; Dwaine Perry, Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Nation; Martha Robles, executive director of Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland; and Sheeba Mathai, Attorney In Charge for the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley.

Wolfe stressed that the proposal local law is meant to launch a conversation. He welcomes input from the public, interested community groups, the county executive and the county attorney. He specifically welcomes participation from the County’s new Human Rights Commissioner, Dr. Constance Frazier; the Legislature voted 14-0 Tuesday to confirm her appointment.

Specifically, the proposed Rockland County Human Rights Law would:

• Include protections otherwise not included in state law for immigration or citizenship status, ethnicity and veteran status.

• Expand the definition of gender to include gender identity and expression thereby offering additional protections to transgender individuals. State law includes no specific civil rights protections for transgender individuals who face discrimination in employment, places of public accommodation, housing and the extension of credit.

• Broaden the definition of “victim of domestic violence” to include victims of sexual abuse or stalking, and extend civil rights protections to these victims in employment; places of public accommodation, resort or amusement; the sale, lease or rental of housing accommodations, land or commercial property; and the extension of credit. State law limits the definition to only include those who are victims of an incident considered a family offense under the Family Court Act. The Rockland County Law includes no such limitation.

• Prohibit employers from asking about criminal convictions prior to a first interview or during the job application process. State law includes no such “Ban the Box” prohibitions.

• Prohibit source-of-income discrimination — such as has been seen regarding Section 8 vouchers and Social Security income — in the sale, lease and rental of housing accommodations, land or commercial property. This applies to all buildings in the County with limited exceptions. This prohibition extends to all housing agents, including real estate brokers.

The new law would also empower the Commission and the Commissioner to:

• Investigate and process complaints of unlawful discriminatory practices in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, and the extension of credit.

• Resolve complaints through mediation and dispute resolution.

• Make a finding of probable cause that the respondent in an action has engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice.

• Refer cases to an administrative law judge for decisions regarding discrimination.

• Issue decisions and orders that a respondent refrain from unlawful discriminatory practice, requiring the respondent to remedy the unlawful discrimination, and pay damages, civil fines, penalties, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

Regarding acts of bias, the proposed law would:

• Create civil penalties in cases of bias involving vandalism, defacement, threats, etc., that are motivated by race, religion, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation and so forth. Penalties will be placed in reserve and used to further the goals of the law.

Photo caption: Rockland County Legislator Alden H. Wolfe discusses details of the proposed new Rockland County Human Rights Law Thursday outside the Allison-Parris County Office Building in New City. Legislature Chairman Toney L. Earl (left) and Ramapough Lenape Nation Chief Dwaine Perry (right) joined him at the podium. Photo credit: Submitted.