A. It is
the policy of the city of Revere to advance the human rights of all
people and to promote understanding among individuals and groups through
the methods and mechanisms provided in this chapter.
B. Nothing
in this chapter shall be construed as supporting or advocating any
particular religion, political view, or lifestyle.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)
As used in this chapter, the following words shall mean:
"Age"
means the length of time that a person has lived, measured
from the date of birth.
"Disability"
means a condition which causes a physical or mental impairment
which limits, or is regarded as limiting, one or more major life activity.
"Ethnicity"
means the social group a person belongs to, and either identifies
with or is identified with by others, as a result of a mix of cultural
and other factors including language, diet, religion, and ancestry.
"Gender"
means one's actual or perceived identity in relation to one's
concept of self as male, female, a blend of both, or neither. One's
gender identity may be different from their sex assigned at birth.
"Marital status"
means actual or supposed condition of being or having been
married, separated, or divorced, or the condition of being single.
"Military status"
means the condition of being or having been in the service
of the military.
"National origin"
means a person or their ancestor's country of birth, tribe,
or other identifiable group of people from which a person descends.
"Race"
means a categorization of a person into groups based on shared
physical or social qualities generally viewed as distinct within a
given society.
"Religion"
means a particular system of faith and worship.
"Sexual orientation"
means the culturally defined set of meanings through which
people describe their sexual attractions. Sexual orientation is not
static and may change over time. Sexual orientation includes but is
not limited to attraction, behavior, and sexual identity.
"Source of income"
means the manner or means by which an individual supports
oneself and one's dependents, except in this chapter it shall not
include any criminal activity from which a source of income is derived.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)
A. Establishment.
There shall be in the city a commission known as the Revere human
rights commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission.
B. Appointment
and terms of office of commission members.
1. The
commission shall be composed of no less than five members and no more
than nine members, each to be known as commissioner, and appointed
by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council. No less
than half of the commissioners shall be residents of the city of Revere,
and at all times shall strive to be representative of the diversity
of the city.
2. The
commissioners shall each serve a term of three years; provided, however,
that of the members first appointed to the commission, the terms are
staggered. Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the mayor
subject to confirmation by the city council for the expired term.
C. Removal
of commissioners. A commissioner's position may be vacated at the
discretion of the commission following improper conduct, repeated
absences, or upon recommendation of the remaining commissioners.
D. Officers,
quorum, budget, and adoption of rules and regulations.
1. The
members of the commission shall annually elect a chair from among
its members. The commission may elect additional officers as it deems
necessary.
2. No
less than half of the active commission members shall constitute a
quorum for the purpose of conducting business, notwithstanding a minimum
of three votes required to pass a decision.
3. The
commission may adopt rules and regulations which it deems necessary
for its function.
4. The
commissioners shall be classified as special municipal employees for
the purposes of chapter 268A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
5. Subject
to appropriation, a budget shall be provided to the Commission for
the reasonable expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance
of the commission's duties.
E. Executive
director. There shall be an executive director who shall be appointed
by the mayor and subject to city council confirmation. The executive
director shall be responsible for carrying out the policies and decisions
of the commission.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)
A. The
commission is charged to cultivate understanding among residents about
the effects of prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry. Towards this end,
the commission may hold and advocate activities, meetings, programs,
and discussion forums and/or workshops as the commission shall determine,
that:
1. Study the problems of discrimination, receive and consider input from community members who raise discrimination concerns, and make recommendations in accordance with Section
9.28.050 of this chapter to promote good will and minimize prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination, and disorder occasioned thereby;
2. Improve
the life of the city by working with community-oriented groups on
cultural programs and campaigns to increase mutual self-respect, harmonious
inter-group relations, and the peaceful enjoyment of life for all;
3. Work
with municipal government agencies to foster compliance with local,
state, and federal laws, and to raise the level of awareness and sensitivity
to human and civil rights;
4. Speak
out against all forms of discrimination, hate-motivated violence,
or civil rights violations.
B. The
executive director may consult with the commission as a resource for
municipal departments and agencies needing advisory input on matters
of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
C. Raise
funds for the use of the commission and accept money, gifts, and services
for its exclusive use and expend the same.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)
A. Members
of the community seeking assistance from the commission regarding
an alleged denial of equal access in housing, employment, education,
contracts, purchasing, public services, or public accommodation where
such denial or discrimination against an individual is based on age,
ancestry, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender,
military status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation,
or source of income, may contact the commission or executive director.
The executive director or their designee shall consider the communication
and act in accordance with the responsibilities of the executive director.
B. Such
communications may be referred to the appropriate governmental and
administrative bodies having jurisdiction of such action.
C. The
commission is not a branch of law enforcement and maintains no such
authority. Neither notice to the commission or executive director
nor action taken by the commission or executive director shall toll
any legal or applicable statute of limitations for a claim of discrimination
or violation of civil rights.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)
The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally
for the accomplishment of the purposes hereof. Nothing herein shall
be construed to limit the civil rights granted by the laws of the
United States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)
A. So far
as practicable and subject to the approval of the mayor, the services
of any city department, agencies, and commissions shall be made available
to the commission for the purpose of effectuating the policy of this
chapter.
B. The
city solicitor shall represent and advise the commission upon the
commission's request.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to exempt or relieve
any individual for any liability, duty, penalty, or punishment provided
by any present or future law of the United States or the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, other than any such law that purports to require
or permit the doing of any act which would be unlawful under this
chapter.
(C.O. 23-057, § VI. 1, 5/8/2023)