[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill 7-22-1993. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
There is hereby created a Commission of Human Rights for the Town of Wallkill, consisting of 11 members to be appointed by the Supervisor, with the approval of the Town Board. The Commission will run concurrent with the Town Board.
B. 
All members of the Commission shall be residents of the Town of Wallkill, New York, and be appointed by the Supervisor of the Town of Wallkill, and each such appointment shall be subject to ratification by the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill. Any member chosen to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom he or she is to succeed.
C. 
Two-thirds of the existing members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business thereof.
D. 
The Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission shall be appointed by the Supervisor and approved by the Town Board. The term of office of each of them shall be for the term of the Town Board.
The general duties of the Commission shall be as follows:
A. 
To foster mutual respect and understanding among all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap in the community.
B. 
To encourage such studies in any field of human relationship in the community as in the judgment of the Commission will aid in effectuating its general purposes.
C. 
To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various groups, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap, and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate such tensions and conflict.
D. 
To encourage and recommend such educational programs as in the judgment of the Commission will increase goodwill among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.
The general obligations of the Commission shall be as follows:
A. 
To receive complaints of alleged discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap; to seek the active assistance of the State Commission for Human Rights in the solution of complaints which fall within the jurisdiction of the State Commission or County Commission; and to prepare its own plans in the case of other complaints, with a view to reducing and eliminating such alleged discrimination through the process of conference, conciliation and persuasion.
B. 
To hold conferences and other public meetings in the interest of the constructive resolution of problems regarding race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap and the prejudice and discrimination occasioned thereby.
C. 
To issue such publications and reports of investigation as in its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
D. 
To enlist the cooperation and participation of the various groups regarding race, color, creed, religion, sex, age and handicap, including community organizations, industry and labor organizations, media or mass communication, fraternal and benevolent associations and other groups, in an educational campaign devoted to fostering among the diverse groups of the mutual esteem, justice and understanding.
E. 
To encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction of the governing board which created the Commission to take such action as will fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
F. 
To submit an annual report to the governing board.
G. 
A spokesperson for the Commission shall be the Chairperson or whoever is designated by the Chairperson.
The Commission on Human Rights of the Town of Wallkill is authorized to adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business and affairs as are consonant and consistent with Chapter 376 of the Laws of the State of New York;[1] provided, however, that no such rules and regulations or amendments thereof shall be effective until a copy thereof shall have been filed in the office of the Clerk of the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill, in the minutes of said Town Board, a copy of which resolution of approval shall be filed therewith.
[1]
Editor's Note: See General Municipal Law § 239-o et seq.
The Commission on Human Rights of the Town of Wallkill is authorized to request and expend such appropriations for expenses and compensation as shall have been first approved in each case by voucher submitted to the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill and authorized by the Town Board in conformity with the town regulations of the Town of Wallkill.
The Commission is required to submit an annual report of its activities and proceedings and an annual reorganization of its committees and the members thereof on or prior to January 31 of each year.