Ulster County, NY Commission of Human Rights

The Commission of Human Rights shall be constituted in accordance with and exercise the powers and duties specified in Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law and other related duties required by the County Executive and/or the County Legislature.

The Commission of Human Rights shall have 11 members appointed to terms of three years, three members of which shall be appointed by the legislative Chairperson, three members by the legislative minority leader, and five members by the County Executive, one of which shall be designated by him or her as the Commission Chairperson. Appointments shall be representative of the various religious, racial, ethnic and nationality groups in Ulster County's communities. No member of the Commission of Human Rights shall serve more than four consecutive terms of three years.

[Amended 8-14-2018 by L.L. No. 4-2018; 4-20-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]

[Amended 8-14-2018 by L.L. No. 4-2018]

The Commission of Human Rights shall have all of the authority, powers, duties and obligations expressly set forth in Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law, and shall also have the authority to engage in processes of conference, conciliation and persuasion, with the active assistance of the New York State Division of Human Rights ("State Division"), if needed, in the mediation and solution of complaints within the jurisdiction of the State Division, so as to amicably resolve such complaints, reduce tensions, build consensus, and foster harmony between the various and diverse communities within Ulster County and to otherwise report, but not initiate, any such complaints to the State Division, and shall also have the authority to create bylaws for its own governance, proceedings and activities, but shall not exercise any powers, duties or obligations not otherwise expressly set forth in General Municipal Law Article 12-D.

The Commission is authorized to receive complaints of all persons in Ulster County with claimed human rights violations arising under any New York State, federal or local human rights law or regulation occurring in Ulster County and to engage all interested parties who consent to do so in an effort to mutually resolve such complaints through mediation and conciliation before the Commission or its authorized designee. In the event that no members of the Commission are able or willing to engage in mediation or conciliation of a given complaint as in the case of a conflict of interest then, subject to legislative appropriation sufficient to pay the expense thereof in a sum not to exceed $10,000 per year, such complaints may be referred upon consent of all parties to the complaint, to an accredited community dispute resolution center within Ulster County operated under the auspices of Article 21-A of the Judiciary Law for the sole purpose of conducting such a nonbinding mediation and conciliation as specified herein.

The Commission or its authorized designee shall actively monitor and assist persons with such claimed human rights violations through the process administered by the State Division, or pursuant to § C-101B hereof by the local Hearing Officer, for such claims that have not been successfully resolved by the Commission, or its authorized designee, through mediation and conciliation at the local level should such persons elect to file a discrimination claim with the State Division or the local Hearing Officer. The assistance rendered under this subsection shall not include the rendering of legal advice or legal representation to any party.

The Commission or its authorized designee shall maintain records of all complaints received by it during each calendar year and shall make a report to the County Legislature by March 31 of each year summarizing the number, type and disposition of such complaints. Such annual report shall not include names or personal identifying information of any party.