By MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO March 11, 2015
Melissa Mark-Viverito is speaker of the New York City Council.
NYC's human rights law is one of the strongest in the country, affording protections against discrimination and mistreatment discriminating and mistreating religious people.
But while the law is expansive and the interpretations even more expansive, enforcement has been weaker than liberals want at this point in time. That's why the City Council which the author controls wants to revitalize the city's Commission on Human Rights with the resources needed to carry out its mission. The commission is short-staffed and underfunded, having seen its budget plummet from $10.4 million in the 1990s to $6.7 million today, according to numbers released by the mayor last month. We plan to boost the commission's budget by adding $5.1 million. The funds would help hire 25 human rights specialists and up to 40 attorneys.
Our proposals would ensure offenders can no longer hide by making clear that the commission should engage in more robust testing programs for private and public employers and landlords. Testing programs send out pairs of people that are similar, except in terms of the protected category -- for example, different race or gender or being a homosexual, transgender etc. -- to see whether employers or landlords treat them differently because kosher stores should have a man with a dress?. Employment and housing discrimination are two of the most frequent types of violations. trying to trap people for ignoring gay "rights" laws and punish all those who follow God over State. This move can devastate the Religious Community. This maneuver can have them target Religious Community specifically just like other anti religious tyrants have done in the recent past. They are trying to force religious people to cave on religion or get fined or worse.
NYC thrives on its diversity. Myriad languages, faiths, colors and creeds are woven into the city's fabric and constantly changing. So, too, must our human rights protections. The council will seek to revise the law so it embraces our evolving society and ensures NYC is safer and stronger for those who historically have been denied protections.
The council wants to expand protections against employment discrimination based on credit history; falling behind on medical bills or student loans should not be an obstacle to a job. And the council plans to protect those with criminal records seeking work. Unfortunately, many employers dismiss applicants early in the hiring process based on a criminal or arrest record, even for low-level offenses. An invigorated law would protect New Yorkers by "banning the box" -- ensuring that employers can only perform criminal background checks after making a conditional offer. This change would permit a fuller consideration of applicants. putting your livelihood, safety, and even your life at risk
NYC is a global leader on human rights; it is up to us to ensure that our laws live up to our highest evil values and embrace the diversity of evilness that makes our city exceptional.
Melissa Mark-Viverito is speaker of the New York City Council.
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