DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES; CIVIL RIGHTS; DISCLOSURE

Columbus City Codes tit. 23, ch. 2331

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 2331.01 Definitions.

2331.01 - Definitions. (A) As used in Chapter 2331 of the Columbus City Codes: (1) "Person" includes one (1) or more individuals, partnerships, associations, organizations, corporations, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, and other organized groups of persons. It also includes, but is not limited to, any owner, lessor, assignor, builder, manager, broker, salesman, agent, employee, lending institution; and the city of Columbus, and all political subdivisions, authorities, agencies, boards and commissions thereof. (2) "Employer" means any person who employs four (4) or more persons, within the City of Columbus, including the city of Columbus, its departments, boards, commissions, and authorities. (3) "Employee" does not include any individual employed in the domestic service of any person. (4) "Labor organization" includes any organization which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or of dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or for other mutual aid or protection in relation to employment. (5) "Employment agency" means any persons regularly undertaking with or without compensation, to procure opportunities for employment or to procure, recruit, refer, or place employees. (6) "Discriminate and discrimination" includes segregate or separate and any difference in treatment based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status. (7) "Unlawful discriminatory practice" means any act prohibited by Title 23, Chapter 2331 of the Columbus City Codes. (8) "Place of public accommodation" means any inn, restaurant, eating house, barbershop, public conveyance by air, land or water, theater, store, or other place for the sale of merchandise, or any other place of public accommodation or amusement where the accommodation, advantages, facilities, or privileges thereof are available to the public, or a private club which has more than two hundred (200) members, provides regular meal service and regularly receives payment for dues, fees, use of space, facilities, services, meals or beverages directly or indirectly from or on behalf of nonmembers for the furtherance of trade or business. (9) "Housing accommodations" includes any building or structure or portion thereof which is used or occupied or is intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied as a home residence or sleeping place of one (1) or more individuals, groups or families, whether or not living independently of each other; and any vacant land offered for sale or lease. It also includes any housing accommodations held or offered for sale or rent by a real estate broker, salesperson, or agent, or by any other person pursuant to authorization of the owner, by the owner, or by such person's legal representative. (10) "Restrictive covenant" means any specification in a deed, land contract or lease limiting the use of any housing because of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status or any limitation based upon affiliation with or approval by any person, directly or indirectly, employing race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status as a condition of affiliation or approval. (11) "Burial lot" means any lot for the burial of deceased persons within any public burial ground or cemetery, including but not limited to, cemeteries owned and operated by the City of Columbus or companies or associations incorporated for cemetery purposes. (12) "Sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived homosexuality; bisexuality; or heterosexuality. (13) "Racial profiling" means to stop, detain, investigate, search, seize or arrest an individual based on the racial or ethnic status of such individual except when based upon a physical description of a suspect in a criminal or traffic offense. The use of race or ethnicity as a factor for determining the existence of reasonable suspicion and/or probable cause in the absence of actual physical evidence or observations linking that individual to a crime constitutes a violation of Section 2331.07 of this chapter. (14) "Age" means at least forty (40) years old. (15)"Disability" means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more major life activities, including the functions of caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working; a record of a physical or mental impairment; or being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment. (16) (a) "Except as provided in division (b) of this subsection, "physical or mental impairment" includes any of the following: (i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one (1) or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitor-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; (ii) Any mental or psychological disorder, including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities; (iii) Diseases, blood disorders and conditions, including, but not limited to, orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, sickle cell, human immunodeficiency virus infection, intellectual disability, emotional illness, drug addiction, and alcoholism. (b) "Physical or mental impairment" does not include any of the following: (i) Pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, or other sexual behavior disorders; (ii) Compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; (iii) Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of a controlled substance. (17) "Sex" means male, female, neither, or both. The terms "because of sex" and "on the basis of sex" include but are not limited to pregnancy, any illness arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or pumping, or other sexual or reproductive health decisions. (a) For the purposes of this section the term "sexual or reproductive health decisions" means decisions relating to the use or intended use of products or services for contraception, sterilization, fertility treatment, pregnancy or its termination, hormone therapy including that which alters gender expression or affirms gender identity, or medical treatments that affirm gender identity. Nothing in this division shall be construed to require an employer to provide health insurance benefits for sexual or reproductive health products or services. (18) "Gender identity or expression" means having or being perceived as having gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, expression, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's actual or perceived sex. (19) "Familial status" means either of the following: (i) One (1) or more individuals who are under eighteen (18) years of age and who are domiciled with a parent or guardian having legal custody of the individual or domiciled, with the written permission of the parent or guardian having legal custody, with a designee of the parent or guardian; (ii) Any person who is pregnant or in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who is under eighteen (18) years of age. (iii) "Family" includes a single individual. (20) "Military status" means a person's status in "service in the uniformed services" as defined in Section 5923.05 of the Ohio Revised Code. (21) "Service in the uniformed services" means the performance of duty, on a voluntary or involuntary basis, in a uniformed service, under competent authority, and includes active duty, active duty for training, initial active duty for training, inactive duty for training, full-time national guard duty, and performance of duty or training by a member of the Ohio organized militia pursuant to Chapter 5923. of the Revised Code. "Service in the uniformed services" includes also the period of time for which a person is absent from a position of public or private employment for the purpose of an examination to determine the fitness of the person to perform any duty described in this division. (22) "Uniformed services" means the Armed Forces, the Ohio organized militia when engaged in active duty for training, inactive duty training, or full-time national guard duty, the commissioned corps of the public health service, and any other category of persons designated by the president of the United States in time of war or emergency. (23) "Race" is inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair textures and protective and cultural hairstyles. (24) "Protective and cultural hairstyles" includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locs, cornrows, bantu knots, afros, and twists, whether or not hair extensions or treatments are used to create or maintain any such style, and whether or not hair is adorned by hair ornaments, beads, or headwraps. (25) "Director" means the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods or their designee. (26) "Investigator" means an employee of the Department of Neighborhoods tasked by the Director with the investigation of complaints pursuant to this Chapter and all associated administrative duties. (B) Nothing in Columbus City Code Sections 2331.01-2331.04 shall be construed to bar any religious or denominational institution or organization or any organization operated for charitable or educational purposes, which is operated, supervised or controlled by or in connection with a religious organization, from limiting employment or sales or rentals of housing accommodations or admission to or giving preference to persons of the same religion or denomination or from engaging in the free exercise of religion. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1475 § 1 (part); Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 0935-2011, § 1, 7-13-2011; Ord. No. 2880-2020, § 1, 12-14-2020; Ord. No. 1212-2021, § 3, 5-24-2021; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 1440-2024, § 1, 6-24-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.02 Fair housing.

2331.02 - Fair housing. (A) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to: (1) Refuse to sell, transfer, assign, rent, lease, sublease, finance or otherwise deny or withhold housing accommodations from any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status of any prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations; (2) Represent to any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status of any prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations that housing accommodations are not available for inspection when in fact they are so available; (3) Refuse to lend money, whether or not secured by mortgage or otherwise, for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair, or maintenance of housing accommodations or otherwise withhold financing of housing accommodations from any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status of any present or prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations, provided such person, whether an individual, corporation, or association of any type, lends money as one of the principal aspects of their business or incidental to their principal business and not only as apart of the purchase price of an owner occupied residence they are selling nor merely casually or occasionally to a relative or friend; (4) Discriminate against any person in the terms or conditions of selling, transferring, assigning, renting, leasing or, subleasing any housing accommodations or in furnishing facilities, services, or privileges in connection with the ownership, occupancy or use of any housing accommodations because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status of any present or prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations; (5) Discriminate against any person in the terms or conditions of any loan of money, whether or not secured by mortgage or otherwise, for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair, or maintenance of any housing accommodations because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status of any present or prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations; (6) Print, publish, or circulate any statement or advertisement relating to the sale, transfer, assignment, rental, lease, sublease, or acquisition of any housing accommodations or the loan of money, whether or not secured by mortgage or otherwise, for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair, or maintenance of housing accommodations which indicates any preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based upon the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status; (7) Make any inquiry, elicit any information, make or keep any record, or use any form of application containing questions or entries concerning the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status in connection with the sale or lease of any housing accommodations or the loan of any money, whether or not secured by a mortgage or otherwise, for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of housing accommodations. (8) Include in any deed, land contract, or lease of accommodations any covenant, honor or exercise, or attempt to honor or exercise, any covenant, that would prohibit, restrict, or limit the sale, transfer, assignment, rental, lease, sublease, or finance of housing accommodations to or for any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status of any prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations provided that prior inclusion of a restrictive covenant in the chain of title shall not be deemed a violation of this provision; (9) Induce or solicit, or attempt to induce or solicit, any housing accommodations listing, sale, or transaction by representing that a change has occurred or may occur in the block, neighborhood, or area in which the property is located, which change is related to the presence or anticipated presence of persons of any race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status. (10) Induce or solicit or attempt to induce or solicit, any housing accommodations listing, sale, or transaction by representing that the presence or anticipated presence of persons of any race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status in the area will or may have results such as the following: (a) The lowering of property values; (b) An increase in criminal or antisocial behavior in the area; or (c) A decline in the quality of schools serving the area; (11) Discourage or attempt to discourage the purchase by prospective purchasers of any housing accommodations by representing that any block, neighborhood, or area has or might undergo a change with respect to the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status of the residents; (12) Deny any person access to or membership or participation in any multiple listing service, real estate, brokers' organization, or other service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting housing accommodations, or to discriminate against them in the terms or conditions of such access, membership, or participation, on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status. (13) Coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of their having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of their having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this section; (14) Whether or not acting under color of law, by force or threat of force willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate, or interfere with: (a) Any person because of their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status and because that person is or has been selling purchasing, renting, financing, occupying or contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing, or occupation of any dwelling, or applying for or participating in any service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting housing accommodations; (b) Any person because that person is or has been, or in order to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from: (1) Participating, without discrimination on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status in any of the activities, services, organizations, or facilities described in division (A)(14)(a) of this section. (2) Affording another person or class of persons opportunity or protection so to participate; or (c) Discouraging any person from lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status in any of the activities, services, organizations, or facilities described in division (A)(14)(a) of this section, or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate; (15) Refuse to sell, transfer, assign, rent or lease, sublease, finance or otherwise deny or withhold a burial lot from any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status of any prospective owner or user of such lot; or (16) For any person to discriminate in any manner against any other person because that person has opposed any unlawful practice defined in Title 23, Chapter 2331 of the Columbus City Codes, or because that person has made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner, in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the provisions of Title 23, Chapter 2331 of the Columbus City Codes. (B) Nothing in this section shall bar any person from refusing to rent, lease, or sublease any room, suite of rooms, or apartment to any person because of sex if such room, suite of rooms, or apartment is located in a building in which the only toilet and bathroom facilities provided for such room, suite of rooms, or apartment are for the common use of all occupants. (C) Whoever recklessly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 1212-2021, § 4, 5-24-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.03 Unlawful employment practices.

2331.03 - Unlawful employment practices. (A) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice, except where based upon applicable national security regulations established by the United States: (1) For any employer, because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status to refuse to hire that person or otherwise to discriminate against that person with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, or any matter directly or indirectly related to employment; (2) For any employer, employment agency, or labor organization to establish, announce or follow a policy of denying or limiting, the employment or membership opportunities of any person or group of persons because of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status. (3) For any employer, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee controlling apprentice training programs to discriminate against any person because of that person's race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status in admission to employment in any program established to provide apprentice training; (4) For any employer, employment agency, or labor organization to publish or circulate, or to cause to be published or circulated, any notice or advertisement relating to employment or membership which indicates any preference, limitation, specifications or discrimination based upon race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status; (5) For any person seeking employment to publish or to cause to be published any advertisement which specifies or in any manner indicates that person's race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status or expresses a limitation or preference as to the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status of any prospective employer; (6) For any employment agency to refuse or fail to accept, register, classify properly, or refer for employment or otherwise to discriminate against any person because of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status; (7) For any employer, employment agency, or labor organization to utilize in the recruitment or hiring of persons, any employment agency, placement service, labor organization, training school or center, or any other employee-referring source, known to discriminate against persons because of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status; (8) For any labor organization to discriminate against any person or limit that person's employment opportunities, or otherwise adversely affect that person's status as an employee, or that person's wages, hours, or employment conditions, because of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status; (9) For an employment agency, to comply with, accommodate, or otherwise assist with locating an employee related to, a request from an employer for referral of applicants for employment if the request indicates, directly or indirectly, that the employer fails, or may fail, to comply with Title 23, Chapter 2331, of the Columbus City Codes; (10) For any labor organization to limit or classify its membership on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status; (11) For any employer, employment agency or labor organization to: (a) Elicit or attempt to elicit any information concerning the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status of an applicant for employment or membership; (b) Use any form of application for employment or personnel or membership blank seeking to elicit information regarding race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status but an employer holding a contract containing a non-discrimination clause with the government of the United States or any department or agency thereof, may require an employee or applicant for employment to furnish documentary proof of United States citizenship and may retain such proof in the employer's personnel records and may use photographic or fingerprint identification for security purposes. (12) For any employer, employment agency or labor organization to discriminate against any person because that person has opposed any practice forbidden by Title 23, Chapter 2331, of the Columbus City Codes, or because that person has made a complaint or testified or assisted in any manner in any investigation or proceeding under Title 23, Chapter 2331, of the Columbus City Codes. (13) For any person, whether or not an employer, employment agency or labor organization, to aid, incite, compel, coerce, or participate in the doing of any act declared to be unlawful discriminatory practice by Title 23, Chapter 2331, of the Columbus City Codes, or to obstruct or prevent any person from enforcing or complying with the provisions of this chapter, or to attempt directly or indirectly to commit any act declared by this chapter, to be an unlawful discriminatory practice. (B) Consistent with federal law, 42 U.S. Code §2000e-2(e), and Ohio Revised Code §4112.02(E), it shall not be an unlawful employment practice under division (A) of this Section to make employment decisions based on religion, sex, or national origin in those instances where religion, sex, or national origin is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business or enterprise. Such bona fide occupational qualification exception will only apply when certified by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in advance of an employment related decision based on religion, sex, or national origin. (C) Whoever recklessly violates this section is guilty of unlawful employment practices, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 1212-2021, § 5, 5-24-2021; Ord. No. 1440-2024, § 2, 6-24-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.04 Unlawful public accommodations.

2331.04 - Unlawful public accommodations. It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice: (A) For any proprietor or employee, keeper, or manager of a place of public accommodation to deny to any person except for reasons applicable alike to all persons regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status the full enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges thereof; (B) For any proprietor or employee, keeper, or manager of a place of public accommodation to publish, circulate, issue, display, post or mail, either directly or indirectly, any printed or written communication, notice or advertisement to the effect that any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, products, services and privileges of any such place shall be refused, withheld or denied to any person on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status or that such person is unwelcome, objectionable, or not acceptable, desired or solicited; (C) For any proprietor or employee, keeper, or manager of a place of public accommodation to discriminate against any person because that person has opposed any practice forbidden by Title 23, Chapter 2332, of the Columbus City Codes, or because that person has made a complaint or testified or assisted in any manner in any investigation or proceeding under Title 23, Chapter 2331, of the Columbus City Codes. (D) For any person, whether or not included in divisions (A) and (B) in this section, to aid, incite, compel, coerce, or participate in the doing of any act declared to be an unlawful discriminatory practice under this section; (E) Whoever recklessly violates this section is guilty of unlawful public accommodations, a misdemeanor of the first degree; or (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 1212-2021, § 6, 5-24-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.05 Complaint procedure.

2331.05 - Complaint procedure. (A) Whenever it is alleged in a complaint, in writing, by a person, hereinafter referred to as "complainant," that any person, employer, employment agency, or labor organization, hereinafter referred to as the "respondent," has engaged in or is engaging in any unlawful discriminatory practices as defined in Title 23, Chapter 2331 and Chapter 2335 of the Columbus City Codes, or upon the investigator's own initiative, in matters relating to such discriminatory practices, the investigator may initiate an investigation. Such complaint shall be filed with the investigator within six (6) months after the alleged unlawful discriminatory practices are committed. (1) If the investigator receives a complaint that is incomplete or describes practices not defined in Title 23, Chapter 2331 and Chapter 2335 of the Columbus City Codes, the complaint will not be accepted. The person filing the complaint will be notified and no further action will be taken. (B) After investigation, the investigator may do any of the following: (1) If there is no reasonable basis to believe that unlawful discriminatory practices have been or are being engaged in, recommend to the community relations commission that the complaint be dismissed and closed. (2) If there is a reasonable basis to believe that unlawful discriminatory practices have been or are being engaged in, endeavor to eliminate such practices by methods of conference, conciliation, and persuasion. (a) If the investigator is satisfied that any unlawful discriminatory practice of the respondent has been or will be eliminated, the investigator may recommend to the community relations commission that the complaint be deemed conciliated and closed. (b) If staff the investigator fails to effect the elimination of such unlawful discriminatory practices or to obtain conciliation of the matter, or, if the circumstances warrant, in advance of or during any such investigation or endeavors to conciliate the matter, the investigator may recommend to the community relations commission that the complaint be referred to the City Prosecutor to evaluate for criminal prosecution. This subdivision shall not apply to complaints filed under Chapter 2335. (c) If the investigator fails to effect the elimination of such unlawful discriminatory practices or to obtain conciliation of the matter and no referral to the City Prosecutor to evaluate for criminal prosecution is then pending, the investigator may recommend to the community relations commission that a notice of violation and imposition of a civil penalty be served upon the respondent. (C) Upon receiving a recommendation from the investigator, the community relations commission may accept or reject the recommendation. The Director shall then be notified in writing of the commission's decision. (D) Upon being notified in writing, the Director may accept or reject the recommendation of the community relations commission and issue a decision. Such decision shall be reduced to writing and the Director shall notify the investigator of their decision. (E) Upon receiving notification of the Director's decision, the investigator may do any of the following: (1) close the complaint and notify the complainant of the decision, (2) if the Director rejects the recommendation of the community relations commission, consult with the Director and/or the commission to determine what further action, if any, needs to be taken on the complaint, and complete any additional investigation and/or processing of the complaint as directed, (3) notify the City Prosecutor's Office of the Director's decision to refer the complaint for evaluation for potential criminal prosecution, or (4) issue a notice of violation and imposition of civil penalty to the respondent. (a) said notice shall inform the respondent of the right to appeal before a hearing officer appointed by the Department of Neighborhoods and that failure to request an appeal within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the notice shall constitute a waiver of the right to appeal and shall be considered an admission of violation and a default finding of civil liability shall be imposed for the amount assessed. (F) Respondent may appeal a decision of the Director by submitting a written notice of appeal to the investigator including the name, address, and telephone number of the respondent, the date of the written notice of appeal, and a statement of intent to appeal. The investigator shall schedule an appeal hearing within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of a written notice of appeal. The hearing officer may grant continuances as deemed necessary. (1) the Director or designee shall appoint the hearing officer and schedule the date, time and location of the appeal hearing. Notice of the appeal hearing shall be sent timely to the respondent. The investigator shall maintain a record of the hearing consistent with the Department's records retention schedule. The record may be made by stenographic means or by the use of an audio electronic recording device. (G) If a hearing officer is appointed, the hearing officer shall have the authority to: (1) Conduct a hearing applying a preponderance of the evidence standard and administer an oath to anyone who will testify; (2) Provide to all the parties, witnesses, and the Community Relations Commission timely notice of the hearing date, time, and location; (3) Direct the exchange of discovery; (4) Set, change as necessary, and timely communicate to the parties such reasonable procedural rules as the hearing officer shall deem appropriate including: (a) The Department of Neighborhoods shall have the burden of going forward with the presentation of evidence. All parties shall have the right to appear and be heard in person, or by legal counsel, to present their case. (b) All parties shall have the right to: offer and examine witnesses and present evidence in support of their case; cross examine adverse witnesses; and proffe evidence into the record if its admission has been denied. (c) Make rulings on all matters of evidence. In so doing, the hearing officer is not strictly bound by the rules of evidence. The hearing officer may ask questions of any witness at any point in the proceedings and may set time and other limitations for each side in the presentation of evidence. A record of proceedings shall be kept. (5) Except as otherwise prescribed by law, the hearing officer shall submit, within seven (7) business days from the hearing date, to the investigator and the respondent, a written report setting forth the hearing officer's findings of fact and conclusions of law with final determination of the matter. (a) The written report of the Hearing Officer may not include any orders for reinstatement of employment, refund of monies paid, other mitigation of damages, or any other orders for corrections or sanctions, except as provided in this section. (b) The written report containing a determination of the matter shall be considered a final appealable order and may be appealed pursuant to the provisions of R.C. Chapter 2506. (6) A copy of the Hearing Officer's written report shall, within five (5) days of being submitted to the investigator, be served upon the respondent or respondent's attorney, by certified mail. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 1212-2021, § 7, 5-24-2021; Ord. No. 0709-2023, § 3, 3-13-2023; Ord. No. 1440-2024, § 3, 6-24-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.06 Severability.

2331.06 - Severability. Title 23, Chapter 2331, of the Columbus City Codes, and each division of said section thereunder, are hereby declared to be independent divisions and sub-divisions and, notwithstanding any other evidence of legislative intent, it is hereby declared to be the controlling legislative intent that if any provisions of said divisions, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remaining divisions or sub-divisions and the application of such provision to any person or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby, and it is hereby declared that such divisions and sub-divisions would have been passed independently of such division or sub-division so known to be invalid. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.07 Interfering with civil rights.

2331.07 - Interfering with civil rights. (A) No public servant, under color of the public servant's office, employment, or authority, shall knowingly deprive, or attempt to deprive any person of a constitutional or statutory right or any other protections against discriminatory conduct created by an ordinance of the city of Columbus. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of interfering with civil rights, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 2535-94 ; Ord. 1475 § 1 (part); Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.08 Ethnic intimidation.

2331.08 - Ethnic intimidation. (A) No person shall violate Sections 2303.13, 2303.22, 2307.06, 2309.06, 2309.07, 2311.21, 2313.02, 2313.03, 2313.04, 2317.03, 2317.11, 2317.12, 2323.30, or 2329.01, of the Columbus City Codes, by reason of or where one of the motives, reasons or purposes for the commission of the offense is the victim's race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status. (B) In a prosecution under this section the offenders motive, reason or purpose for the commission of the offense may be shown by the offenders temporarily related conduct or statements before, during or after the offense, including ethnic, sexual orientation, religious or racial slurs, and by the totality of the facts, circumstances and conduct surrounding the commission of the offense. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of ethnic intimidation, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the underlying offense which is a necessary element of ethnic intimidation is itself a misdemeanor of the first degree, then upon conviction under this section, the court shall impose a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten (10) days imprisonment. If the offender has previously been convicted under either this section or Section 2927.12, Ohio Revised Code and the underlying offense is a first degree misdemeanor or the offense resulted in physical harm to any person, then upon conviction under this section the court shall impose a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ninety (90) days imprisonment. (D) This section does not apply if the facts alleged in the complaint would constitute a felony under Section 2927.12, Ohio Revised Code. (E) The bias crimes unit of the division of police shall keep and maintain records of reported violations of this section and reported incidents the motive of which is the victim's race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, familial status or military status. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.09 Access and/or disclosure of financial information.

2331.09 - Access and/or disclosure of financial information. (A) No employee of the city of Columbus or a law enforcement officer assigned to the Columbus division of police, shall purposely request or receive financial information from a financial institution without the consent of the account holder, a search warrant, subpoena, or other process specifically authorized by federal, state or local law. Employees of the city of Columbus and law enforcement officers assigned to the division of police will maintain a record of such transactions with financial institutions. (B) No employee of a financial institution shall purposely disclose financial information to an employee of the city of Columbus or a law enforcement officer assigned to the Columbus division of police unless pursuant to the consent of the account holder, search warrant, subpoena, or other process specifically authorized by federal, state or local law. (C) As used in this section: (1) "Financial information" means charges, deposits, withdrawals or balances of an account of any person or business entity in a bank, savings and loan or credit union. (2) "Financial institution" means a bank, savings and loan, or credit union. (D) This section does not apply when: (1) The financial institution or their account holder is, or may be, the victim of a crime or theft offense and the disclosure of financial information is necessary to investigate that crime or theft offense. (2) The request or release of financial information concerning the existence of an amount of the lien on any property which has been impounded and/or which is subject to state or federal forfeiture laws. (E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of prohibited access and/or disclosure of financial information, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. 1865-2008 § 2 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2331.10 Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, or Expression.

2331.10 - Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, or Expression. (A) The following definitions apply in this section: (1) "Conversion therapy" means any treatment that aims to change sexual orientation or to convert an individual who identifies with a gender or expresses a gender other than the gender assigned at birth to the originally assigned gender. (2) "Mental health professional" means an individual who is licensed, certified or registered under the laws of the State of Ohio to provide, to an individual or a group, mental health services, including but not limited to, the assessment or improvement of mental, emotional, psychiatric, psychological, or psychosocial adjustment or functioning, regardless of whether there is a diagnosable, pre-existing disorder or disease. Mental health professionals include, but are not limited to, physicians specializing in the practice of psychiatry, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed social workers, professional clinical counselors, behavioral clinicians or therapists, nurses, or any other persons offering such mental health services. (3) "Minor" means a person less than eighteen (18) years of age. (4) "Reparative therapy" has the same meaning as the definition of conversion therapy contained in this chapter. (5) "Sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression change efforts" means conversion therapy, reparative therapy or any other practices that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or to change gender identity or expression to a gender other than that with which the individual personally identifies, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex. "Sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts" does not include psychotherapies or therapeutic activities that provide acceptance, support, and understanding for an individual or the facilitation of an individual's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, and psychotherapies that do not seek to change sexual orientation or to change gender identity to a gender other than that with which the individual personally identifies. (B) No mental health professional shall knowingly engage, within the geographic boundaries of the City of Columbus, in sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts with a minor, without regard to whether the mental health professional is compensated or receives any form of remuneration for the mental health professional's services. (C) Whoever violates Section 2331.10 is guilty of a misdemeanor. The court shall sentence the offender to a minimum fine of $500 up to a maximum fine of $1,000 per occurrence and notwithstanding the terms of imprisonment set forth in Chapter 2929 of the Ohio Revised Code, a jail term not to exceed one (1) year. (D) Upon conviction of a violation of Section 2331.10, the relevant licensing board, commission, or entity tasked with review of professional conduct shall be notified of the aforementioned violation. (E) If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of this law or the application thereof, to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity or circumstance, shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional such order of judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of this law or its application to the person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstances directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered. (Ord. No. 0525-2017, § 1, 3-27-2017; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT23GEOFCO_CH2331DIPRCIRIDIFetched: 10/27/2026