[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Harrisburg
by Ord. No. 17-1992. Amendments noted where applicable.]
CROSS-REFERENCES
Pennsylvania Human Relations Act: Act of Oct. 27, 1955, P.L.
744, as amended (43 P.S. § 951 et seq.).
Rental housing discrimination: see 35 P.S. § 1680.402a.
Service uniform discrimination: see Crimes Codes (18 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 7323).
A.Â
The population of the City consists of every race, color, religion,
ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, marital status,
familial status, sexual preference, handicap or disability, and possession
of a general education development certificate, some of whom by reason
of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, place of
birth, sex, age, marital status, familial status, possession of a
general education development certificate, sexual preference/orientation,
handicap and disability, or association with or advocacy on behalf
of persons in these categories, are discriminated against in employment
opportunities, places of public accommodation, housing facilities,
education, obtaining loans, housing or housing-related financing or
mortgage requirements, which may include but are not limited to insurance
requirements, and the enjoyment of equality of opportunity relating
thereto.
B.Â
Discrimination because of race, color, religion, ancestry, national
origin, place of birth, sex, age, handicap or disability or the use
of guide or support animals, marital status, familial status, sexual
preference/orientation, or association with or advocacy on behalf
of persons in these categories in employment, housing, public accommodations,
education, and lending practices is contrary to the laws and policies
of the City.
C.Â
Discrimination in employment prevents the gainful employment of large
segments of the citizens of the City, tends to impair the City's
productive capacity, reduces the public revenues, imposes substantial
financial burden upon the public for relief and welfare, and tends
to create breaches of the peace and depressed living conditions which
breed crime, vice, juvenile delinquency, and disease, and is detrimental
to the public safety, economic growth and general welfare of the City.
D.Â
Discrimination in housing results in overcrowded, segregated housing
with substandard, unsafe and unsanitary living conditions which cause
increased mortality, disease, crime, vice, juvenile delinquency, fire
and risk of fire, intergroup tensions, conflicts and similar evils,
all of which increase the cost of government and reduce the public
revenues and result in injury to the public safety, health and welfare
of the City.
E.Â
Discrimination involving places of public accommodation, as herein
defined, causes loss of access to services, humiliation, embarrassment
and inconvenience to citizens and visitors, tends to create breaches
of the peace, intergroup tensions, conflicts and similar evils, and
is detrimental to the public safely, general welfare and economic
growth of the City.
F.Â
Discrimination in educational institutions precludes equality of
educational opportunities for all students, whether personally experienced
by them or when observed being practiced by others. It is recognized,
however, that there is a fundamental American right for members of
various religious faiths to establish and maintain educational institutions
exclusively or primarily for students of their own religious faith.
In such institutions, students should have equal opportunity to attend
therein and participate without discrimination because of race, color,
ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, handicap or disability
or the use of guide or support animals, marital status, familial status,
general education development certificate, sexual preference/orientation,
and age.
G.Â
Discrimination in lending or in other extensions of credit or in
the terms or conditions of credit by lending institutions denies persons
the opportunity to fulfill and maintain their economic well-being.
A.Â
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the City, in the exercise
of its powers for the protection of the public safety and the general
welfare, for the maintenance of peace and good government and for
the promotion of the City's trade, commerce and manufacture,
to promote the right and opportunity of all persons to participate
in the social, cultural, recreational, and economic life of the City
and to assure equal opportunity for all persons in employment, housing,
public accommodations, education, and obtaining loans and extensions
of credit, free from discrimination because of race, color, religion,
ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, handicap or disability
or the use of guide or support animals, marital status, familial status,
sexual preference/orientation, or age or association with or advocacy
on behalf of any group protected by this code.
B.Â
To accomplish these goals it shall be the public policy of the City
to prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, ancestry,
national origin, place of birth, sex, handicap or disability or the
use of guide or support animals, marital status, familial status,
sexual preference/orientation or age or association with or advocacy
on behalf of any group protected by this code in areas relating to
employment, housing, public accommodations, education and lending
practices.
This code shall be deemed remedial and shall be liberally construed
so as to effectuate its spirit and intent.
This code applies to discriminatory practices including but
not limited to discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations,
education, and lending which occur within the territorial limits of
the City and to employment contracted for, performed or to be performed
within these limits, or by those contracting with the City, and also
applies to any county or governmental subdivision in Dauphin, Cumberland
and Perry Counties which by majority vote of the proper body adopts
this code or elects to be covered by its terms.
Nothing in this code shall be deemed to repeal or supersede
any of the provisions of any existing or hereafter adopted City ordinance,
City charter or any law of this commonwealth relating to discrimination.
However, if the complainant institutes any other action based on such
grievance without resorting to the procedure provided in this code,
such complainant may not subsequently resort to the procedures herein.
In the event of a conflict between the interpretation of this code
and the interpretation of a similar provision contained in any state
law, the interpretation of the provision in the state law shall apply.
As used in this code, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context. Any word not defined herein shall have the definition contained in the glossary, Chapter 1-302, or the ordinary dictionary definition.
Being in compliance with the applicable standards set forth
in the following:
[Added 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
The Fair Housing Act (Public Law 90-284, 42 U.S.C. § 3601
et seq.).
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336,
42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.).
The act of September 1, 1965 (Public Law 459, No. 235), titled,
as amended, "An Act Requiring That Certain Buildings and Facilities
Adhere To Certain Principles, Standards, and Specifications To Make
the Same Accessible To and Usable by Persons With Physical Handicaps,
and Providing For Enforcement."[1]
Any advertisement and any similar written, printed, taped
or broadcasted communication, notice, statement or the like which
is disseminated (whether published, printed, circulated, issued, displayed,
posted or mailed) for the purpose of promoting housing activity, including
but not limited to rentals, leases, and sales.
[Added 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
Any person who places, publishes, broadcasts, or similarly
causes to be disseminated by any other means an advertisement or advertising
as defined in this section.
[Added 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
The advancement or assertion, not otherwise unlawful, whether
written or oral, of rights protected under this code.
Person 40 years of age or older and shall also include any
other person so protected by further amendment to the Federal Age
Discrimination in Employment Act.[2]
[Amended 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
Any person who claims to be injured or believes that he/she
will be injured by a discriminatory practice.
Any affiliation or perceived affiliation, formal or informal,
by occupancy, proximity or advocacy with or on behalf of any of the
groups protected under this code.
An employment qualification that is reasonably necessary
to the essence of the normal operation of a particular business enterprise.
The concept is to be construed narrowly in substantial conformity
with the interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Any building, structure or other facility, or portion thereof,
which is used, occupied or intended, arranged, designed, or designated
to be used or occupied for the purpose of operating a business, an
office, a factory, or public accommodation and any vacant land which
is offered for sale or lease or is held, intended or designated for
the purpose of constructing or locating thereon any such building,
facility, business, or public accommodation.
The Harrisburg Human Relations Commission created by this
code.
Any person, including the Commission, who files a complaint
pursuant to this code.
Any process which affords the opportunity to resolve the
issues raised by either the complaint or the investigation of a complaint
through informal negotiations involving the complainant, the respondent
and the Commission.
Any resolution of the issues through the conciliation process.
All conciliation agreements must be in writing and signed by the respondent
and the complainant and approved by the Commission in order to take
effect.
Any act or omission, whether actually performed, attempted,
or intended, which has been declared to be unlawful under this code,
or any actual, attempted or intended difference in treatment based
on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, place of birth,
sex, age, handicap or disability or the use of guide or support animals,
marital status, familial status, general education development certificate
(GED), or sexual preference/orientation, unless otherwise specifically
provided, or any actual or attempted difference in treatment based
on an individual's association with or advocacy on behalf of
any of the groups protected under this code. The word "discriminate"
or "discrimination" also includes any acts, activities or any act
or omission intended or attempting to segregate any of the groups
protected under this code.
Any institution which accepts or solicits individuals to
engage in the learning process, such as day-care centers, nursery
schools, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, high schools,
academies, extension schools, camps, or any secretarial, business,
vocational or trade school of post-secondary grade which is subject
to the visitation, examination or inspection, or is or may be licensed,
by the Commonwealth Department of Education, including any post-secondary
school, college or university incorporated or chartered under any
general law or special act of the General Assembly, except any religious
or denominational educational institution as defined in this code.
Includes the City or any board, department, commission, authority,
or school district thereof, or any person or any entity or organization
employing four or more persons within the City. Contractors, subcontractors
and independent contractors performing services within the City are
also included under this definition. Any religious, fraternal, charitable,
or sectarian corporation or association employing four or more persons
and supported in whole or in part by government appropriations shall
also be included under this definition. "Employer" does not include
parents, spouse or children or any number of them. "Employer" does
not include religious, fraternal, charitable, or sectarian corporations
or associations not supported by government appropriations. "Employment"
does not include the employment of individuals in domestic services.
Any person regularly undertaking, with or without compensation,
to procure, recruit, refer or place employees.
One or more individuals who have not attained the age of
18 years being domiciled with a parent or another person having legal
custody of such individual or individuals or the designee of such
parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission
of such parent or other person. The protection afforded against discrimination
on the basis of familial status shall apply to any person who is pregnant
or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who
has not attained the age of 18 years. The protection afforded to familial
status shall also include groups of handicapped individuals, who may
or may not be related, joining together in functioning household units,
provided that such units are not separate apartments, who, if necessary,
may require rehabilitation services, counseling, care, supervision,
and therapy.
General education development certificate.
Any actual, perceived, recorded, or assumed mental or physical
impairment which significantly limits one or more of such person's
major life activities and those who are currently recovering from
drug or alcohol addiction. The phrase does not include persons currently
using illegal substances. The phrase does include:
[Amended 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
[Amended 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
Any building, structure or facility, or portion thereof, which
is used, occupied or intended, arranged or designed to be used as
a residence or sleeping place of one or more individuals, groups or
families, whether or not living independently of each other; and
Any vacant land offered for sale or lease or held for the purposes
of constructing or locating thereon any such building, structure,
mobile home site or facility.
Housing provided under any federal or state program that
the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development has determined is specifically designed and operated to
assist elderly persons (as defined in the federal or state program),
housing intended for and solely occupied by persons 62 years of age
or older, or housing intended and operated for occupancy by at least
one person 55 years of age or older per unit.
[Added 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
In determining whether housing qualifies as "housing for older
persons" under this definition, the Harrisburg Human Relations Commission's
requirements shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
The existence of significant facilities and services specifically
designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons, or
if the provision of such facilities and services is not practicable,
that such housing is necessary to provide important housing opportunities
for older persons; or
A requirement that at least 80% of the units are occupied by
at least one person 55 years of age or older per unit and the publication
of, and adherence to, policies and procedures which demonstrate an
intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons 55 years
of age or older.
Housing shall not fail to meet the requirements for older persons
by reason of:
Any person who is subject to the provisions governing any
of the professions and occupations regulated by state licensing laws
enforced by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in
the Department of State or is included in the Fair Housing Act (42
U.S.C. § 3601 et seq., Public Law 90-284).
[Added 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
Any group or association which exists for the purpose in
whole or in part of collective bargaining or in dealing with employers
concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other
mutual aid or protection in relation to employment.
Any bank, insurance company, savings and loan association,
or any organization engaged in making loans; any person or organization
regularly engaged in the business of lending money, granting or extending
credit or guaranteeing loans; and credit rating bureaus which supply
information used to determine the eligibility for such loans or credit,
including but not limited to real estate mortgages and financing or
financing involving, using or otherwise relying upon real estate.
Includes:
As it relates to employment practices means any handicap
or disability which does not substantially interfere with the ability
to perform the essential functions of the position which a handicapped
person applied for, is engaged in or has been engaged in. Uninsurability
or increased cost of insurance under a group or employee insurance
plan does not render a handicap or disability job-related.
Includes any person or entity who is the owner, co-owner,
lessee, sublessee, mortgagee, assignee, manager, agent, or any other
person having an equitable or security interest in any housing accommodation
or any person who otherwise has the authority to recommend or grant
for consideration the right to use or occupy a housing accommodation.
This definition shall include the City and its departments, boards,
commissions and authorities.
Any place which is open and accepts or solicits the patronage
of the general public, including but not limited to inns, taverns,
resorts, places of recreation or amusement, hotels, motels, clinics,
hospitals, swimming pools, barbershops, beauty parlors, retail stores,
parks, bowling alleys, gymnasiums, public libraries, and all governmental
facilities.
Any person, partnership, corporation or any other organization
or association which sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, negotiates,
or in any way grants for consideration the right to purchase, use
or occupy a housing accommodation, or offers or attempts to negotiate
the sale, purchase, exchange, or rental of the real property of another,
including real estate salespersons or agents or any person employed
by a real estate broker to perform or assist in the performance of
such broker's business.
A person's religious creed or the practices or observances
with which a person expresses a religious creed.
Any educational institution which is operated, supervised,
controlled, or sustained primarily by a religious, sectarian or denominational
organization; or one which is stated by the parent church or denomination
to be and is, in fact, officially related to it by being represented
on the board of that institution from which it has received substantial
financial assistance; and one which has certified, in writing, to
the Commission that it is a religious or denominational educational
institution.
Includes lease, sublease, let or otherwise grant for consideration
the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.
[Amended 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 31-2007]
Any person or entity accused in a complaint of violating
the provisions of this code or any other person or entity identified
in the course of investigation.
The gender, male or female, of a person, including those
persons who are changing or have changed their sex.
Male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality and bisexuality,
by preference, practiced or as perceived by others.
Any person seeking admission to or in attendance at a school
or educational institution.
