EASTON, Pa. – Northampton County Council is considering a non-discrimination ordinance that would outline stronger protections for more classes of people.
Commissioner Jason Boulette introduced the ordinance Thursday night. It would make it illegal in Northampton County to discriminate in employment, housing, health care, education, and public accommodations based on protected classes including race, religion, sex, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and domestic violence victim status.
The ordinance would also establish a human relations commission made up of Northampton County residents to investigate claims of discrimination and potentially enforce restitution and fines.
Currently, federal and state law offer some protections, but the Northampton County ordinance would strengthen and extend them to more protected classes of people.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Boulette’s efforts were applauded by several people, including Joe Welsh from the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute.
“I personally have litigated many discrimination cases, and I can tell you that the state and federal agencies charged with enforcement of numerous similar state and federal laws are completely overwhelmed, and it can easily take over a year to get a decision,” Welsh said. “So a local solution that can quickly resolve such issues would be a fantastic improvement.”
A public hearing and possible vote on the ordinance will be held at council’s next meeting on March 19.