Madison, WI Header
File #: 37017    Version: Name: Adding nonreligion as a protected class
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 1/28/2015 In control: EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION
On agenda: 3/31/2015 Final action: 3/31/2015
Enactment date: 4/9/2015 Enactment #: ORD-15-00039
Title: SUBSTITUTE Amending Section 39.03 of the Madison General Ordinances to add nonreligion as a protected class.
Sponsors: Anita Weier, Shiva Bidar, Mark Clear, Lucas Dailey, Larry Palm, Matthew J. Phair, Marsha A. Rummel, Chris Schmidt, Lisa Subeck, Michael E. Verveer, Ledell Zellers, Scott J. Resnick, David Ahrens, Denise DeMarb
Attachments: 1. Version 1
Fiscal Note
No appropriation is required.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Amending Section 39.03 of the Madison General Ordinances to add nonreligion as a protected class.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This substitute ordinance amendment adds nonreligion as a protected class in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Subsection (1) entitled “Declaration of Policy” of Section 39.03 entitled “Equal Opportunities Ordinance” of the Madison General Ordinance is amended to read as follows:
“(1) Declaration of Policy. The practice of providing equal opportunities in housing, employment, public accommodations and City facilities is a desirable goal of the City of Madison and a matter of legitimate concern to its government. Discrimination against any of Madison’s residents or visitors endangers the rights and privileges of all. The denial of equal opportunity intensifies group conflict, undermines the foundations of our democratic society, and adversely affects the general welfare of the community.
Denial of equal opportunity in employment deprives the community of the fullest productive capacity of those of its members so discriminated against and denies to them the sufficiency of earnings necessary to maintain the standards of living consistent with their abilities and talents.
The practice of providing equal opportunities in employment to persons without regard to sex, race, religion or nonreligion, color, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, handicap/disability, marital status, source of income, arrest record, conviction record, credit history, less than honorable discharge, physical appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, familial status, student status, domestic partner status, receipt of rental assistance, the fact that the person declines to disclose th...

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