Chapter 32: Human Rights, Commission on

§ 32-1 Establishment; membership; terms of office.

A Commission on Human Rights is hereby established by the City in accordance with Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law.

The Commission shall consist of not more than 12 members to be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council. The Mayor shall designate one of such members to be Chairman, who shall serve as Chairman at the pleasure of the Mayor.

Of the members first appointed, four shall be appointed for terms of office of one year, four shall be appointed for terms of office of two years and four for terms of office of three years each. Thereafter, all appointments, except to fill vacancies, shall be for terms of office of three years each. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of terms of office shall be filled for the unexpired terms of the offices so filled.

§ 32-2 Compensation and expenses.

The members of the Commission shall serve without salary but may be reimbursed for their actual and authorized expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

§ 32-3 Appointments.

In making appointments to the Commission, the Mayor shall take into consideration the various religious, racial, nationality and political groups in the community.

§ 32-4 Employment of staff.

The Mayor shall have the power and authority, subject to the applicable civil service requirements, to employ an executive director, a secretary and such attorneys, experts and other employees as may be necessary, whenever such positions shall be created by and within the amount made available by the City Council.

§ 32-5 Duties.

It shall be the duty of the Commission, as provided in Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law, to:

Foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious and nationality groups in the community.

Make such studies in any field of human relationships in the community as in its judgment will aid in effectuating its general purposes.

Inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious and nationality groups, and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate such tension and conflict.

Conduct and recommend such educational programs as in its judgment will increase good will among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.

§ 32-6 Obligations.

The Commission shall discharge the following obligations as provided by Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law:

Receive complaints of alleged discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin; 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 for Human Rights; and prepare its own plans in the case of other complaints with a view of reducing and eliminating such alleged discrimination through the process of conference, conciliation and persuasion.

Hold conferences and other public meetings in the interest of a constructive resolution of racial, religious and nationality group tensions and the prejudice and discrimination occasioned thereby.

Issue such publications and reports of investigation as in its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law.

Enlist the cooperation and participation of the various racial, religious and nationality groups, community organizations, industry and labor organizations, media or mass communication, fraternal and benevolent associations and other groups in an international campaign devoted to fostering among the diverse groups of the community mutual esteem, justice and equity.

Encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction of the city which created the Commission to take such action as will fulfill the purposes of Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law.

Submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council.

§ 32-7 Effect of statutory amendments.

In the event that the provisions of Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law are amended, such amendments shall be effective with respect to the Commission on Human Rights created by this chapter.