2.4: Human Relations Commissions and Guidelines

The purpose and intent of Human Relations Commission is for a citizen group to consult with and advise elected officials of a city or county government to equal economic, political, and educational opportunity, to equal accommodations in all business establishments in the City, and to equal service and protection by public agencies. The Commission normally give effect to such rights to eliminate prejudice and discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, place of birth, citizenship, marital status, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The Commission normally provides advice and assistance to all elected leaders of the governing body in order that all officers, agencies, boards, departments, and employees may take ameliorative steps to enhance peace and good order and provide equal opportunity for and good will toward all people. Further, the Commission may recommend use of mediation and/or conciliation processes to attempt to eliminate alleged unfair or unlawful discriminatory practices.

Human relation commissions guidelines

The Commission shall be given the following guideline for completion of the mission purpose.

• Conduct programs designed to bring groups together to close gaps resulting from past discriminatory practices and to proactively address current or ongoing inter-group tensions.
• Mediate disagreements among individuals, groups, and organizations, which result from discriminatory practices within the commission’s scope.
• Process complaints.
• Adopt, by two–thirds vote of its members, bylaws governing the conduct of its meetings and activities, the establishment of subcommittees, and such other rules as may be necessary for the performance of its functions; provided, that such bylaws shall specify that a quorum shall at all times consist of a majority of its authorized membership and that any amendments to the bylaws shall require an affirmative vote of two–thirds of its authorized membership.
• Maintain records and serve as the source of accurate and reliable data on practices, activities, and other problems, which are the subject to their jurisdiction.
• Render a written report of its activities annually. Such report shall include summaries of recommendations for development of policies and procedures, additional legislation deemed by the Commission to be necessary, presentations by citizens and organizations, and recommended actions to be taken.
• In addition to the other powers and duties, some Commission will have the power to do the following:
  • Prepare and disseminate educational and informational material relating to prejudice and discrimination and recommended ways and means of eliminating such prejudice and discrimination.
  • Furnish cooperation, information, guidance, and technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations, and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to eliminate prejudice and discrimination.
  • Consult and maintain contact with other public agencies and representatives of employers, labor unions, property owners’ associations, professional associations, national origin groups, community organizations concerned with interracial, inter-religious, and intercultural understanding, social welfare organizations, and such other private organizations and institutions as the Commission shall deem advisable.
  • Advise and make written recommendations to the concerning the development and implementation of programs and practices for furthering the objectives of the Commission. If necessary, the Commission and an agency, board, or officer, which the Commission is assisting, shall submit timely reports of progress in establishing and implementing such programs and practices. Most Commission's shall not have jurisdiction over matters within the authority of the Civil Service Commission or the Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission including, but not limited to, City employee discrimination complaints or minority contracting practices.
  • Investigate, and with the assent of the concerned parties, conciliate or mediate all incidents of discrimination within the scope of the Commission to the extent such functions are not within the responsibilities of the California Fair Employment Practices Commission or any federal, county, state, City, or other established agency, and make specific and detailed recommendations to the interested parties as to the method of eliminating such discrimination.
  • Prepare, encourage, and coordinate programs based on established laws, regulations, policies, or goals to eliminate or reduce existing inequalities and disadvantages in the community resulting from past discriminatory practices.
  • Hold public meetings on community–wide problems, which may result in discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, place of birth, citizenship, marital status, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
  • Refer for appropriate legal action any matters not resolved through conciliation or mediation to the appropriate prosecutorial or regulatory entity.