NEW ORLEANS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

New Orleans City Code ch. 86, art. II

in effect

New Orleans City Code § 86-2 Policy and procedures.

Sec. 86-2. - Policy and procedures. (a) In the city with its great cosmopolitan population consisting of large numbers of people of every race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability, many of them with disabilities, there is no greater danger to the health, morals, safety and welfare of the city and its inhabitants than the existence of groups prejudiced against one another and antagonistic to each other because of differences of race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability. The council hereby finds and declares that prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, and discrimination and disorder occasioned thereby threaten the rights and proper privileges of its inhabitants and menace the institutions and foundation of a free democratic state. The human relations commission as created by section 86-4 is designated as an instrument of the city's power to eliminate and prevent discrimination in employment, in places of public accommodation, resort or amusement, in housing accommodations and in commercial space because of race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability whenever such discrimination is prohibited by provisions of this chapter or other city law; and such commission is hereby designated as the local human rights commission for this city and is given such jurisdiction and power for such purposes as is conferred upon or authorized to a local human rights commission under applicable state law. Except as otherwise provided in the city charter, this Code, or applicable federal or state law, the commission is hereby authorized to enforce and administer any and all city ordinances prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations or in other areas, including but not limited to, the provisions of this chapter. (b) It is the purpose and intent of the city council by this enactment to provide for the execution within the city of the policies embodied in the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, 1968, and 1972 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; and to assure that the city has appropriate legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing sufficient to justify the deferral of cases by the federal equal employment opportunity commission, the secretary of labor, the department of housing and urban development, and the department of justice under those statutes; to safeguard all individuals within the city from discrimination because of race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability in connection with employment, housing, public accommodations, financial practices, and credit transactions; to protect their interest in personal dignity and freedom from humiliation; to make available to the city their full productive capacities in employment; to secure the city against domestic strife and unrest which would menace its democratic institutions; to preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare; and to further the interest, rights, and privileges within the city. (c) All city agencies and departments shall cooperate fully with the commission and advisory committee to the end that they may effectively carry out their functions and duties. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 19,278, § 1, 6-17-99)

New Orleans City Code § 86-3 Authorization.

Sec. 86-3. - Authorization. (a) It is the intent of this article to authorize creation by the mayor of a new bureau, to be known as the human relations commission, which shall be authorized to exist and act for the city, as provided in this article, with the advice of an advisory committee on human relations constituted as provided herein. It is the intent of this article to exercise the city's rights under article VI, section 6 of the constitution; and the council declares that such bureau, acting with the advice of such committee, shall constitute the city's human rights commission under state law. The term "commission," as used in this article, refers to such bureau acting with the advice of such committee; and the term "committee" refers to such committee acting as the designated advisor to such bureau. The council finds that the use of a bureau within an existing administration unit, advised by a citizens' advisory committee, to serve as a city human rights commission will achieve the goals of independence of judgment and participation of citizens representing diverse interests and community groups while at the same time observing the home rule charter policy against the proliferation of administratively discrete agencies. (b) Subject to the limitation set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the mayor is hereby authorized to create, within one of the offices, departments or boards created or recognized by the home rule charter, a bureau to be known as the New Orleans Human Relations Commission. (c) The authorization granted in subsection (b) of this section shall be effective only during the period or periods of existence of an advisory committee on human relations appointed pursuant to section 86-4. (d) The human relations commission shall be headed by a full-time executive director, and may employ additional staff in the manner provided by applicable law. Except as may otherwise be provided in applicable law, the executive director shall be appointed only after consultation with the advisory committee on human relations. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 19,278, § 1, 6-17-99)

New Orleans City Code § 86-4 Advisory committee on human relations; appointment; meetings; removal.

Sec. 86-4. - Advisory committee on human relations; appointment; meetings; removal. (a) Pursuant to the provisions of section 4-104 of the charter, the mayor, or with the consent of the mayor, the head of the department or board to which the human relations commission shall have been assigned, shall appoint an advisory committee to be known as the advisory committee on human relations. The mayor, or with the consent of the mayor, the head of the department or board to which the human relations commission shall have been assigned, may designate one of its employees to serve as executive director of the human relations commission. In order for its existence to be sufficient to give effect to the authorization granted by section 86-37(a), the advisory committee on human relations must be organized in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. (b) The advisory committee shall be composed of 17 members, to be appointed as follows: one member appointed as directed by each member of the city council, two members appointed at the sole discretion of the mayor, and eight members appointed by the mayor from a list of nominees submitted by the Presidents of Xavier University, Dillard University, Tulane University, Loyola University, Delgado Community College, and Our Lady of Holy Cross College, and the Chancellors of the University of New Orleans and Southern University in New Orleans. Each of the aforementioned universities must submit three nominees for the mayor's consideration. The mayor shall select one nominee from each university. (c) Before making appointments, the appointing and nominating authority may solicit the recommendations of civic, professional, social, advocacy, trade, labor, civil rights, and other organizations, including but not necessarily limited to, the Chamber/New Orleans and the River Region, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Black Economic Development Council, the local Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the local American Federation of Labor/Congress of Industrial Organizations, and the local Federation of Churches. (d) The appointment of a member of the advisory committee shall not become effective until it has been confirmed by the city council. Members of the committee shall serve a term of one year and shall serve without compensation. It shall be permissible to reappoint a member for two consecutive one-year terms for a total of three terms without employing the nominating process described in paragraph (b) of this section. (e) The committee shall meet, and shall designate one of its members as chairperson and one as vice-chairperson. The vice-chairperson shall act as chairperson in the absence or disability of the chairperson or upon a vacancy in that office. Any vacancy in the committee shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as to the particular appointing authority that governed the original appointment. (f) Any member may be removed by the committee with the concurrence of the mayor and a majority of the city council for unexcused failure to attend meetings or neglect of duties or for any cause sufficient to warrant removal of a city board member. (g) The advisory committee may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this article, hold such hearings and act at such times and places as are deemed advisable. Subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of written or other matter may be issued in accordance with applicable state or city law. The holding of hearings by the advisory committee or the appointment of a subcommittee or a hearing examiner to hold hearings pursuant to this paragraph must be approved by a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The commission shall have the sole power to determine qualifications of the examiner. (h) The advisory committee shall have the power to create subcommittees; and the commission with the advice of the committee shall have the power to make such rules and regulations as are convenient or necessary to carry out the purposes of this article in the manner provided in the city charter. (i) All meetings of the advisory committee and its subcommittees shall be subject to the open meetings law of the state. A simple majority of the members of the advisory committee shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of doing business and of formal compliance with the open meetings law, unless otherwise provided by state law. A majority vote shall be required for advisory committee action. The executive director of the human relations commission shall have a voice, but not vote, in the meetings of the advisory committee. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 19,278, § 1, 6-17-99; M.C.S., Ord. No. 25700, § 1, 2-20-14)

New Orleans City Code § 86-5 Duties of the commission.

Sec. 86-5. - Duties of the commission. The commission, with the advice of and in close cooperation with the advisory committee, shall: (1) Study and (in such manner and subject to such screening procedures as may be provided in its rules) collect information concerning written complaints, signed by one or more complainants, that citizens of the city are being or have been deprived of rights guaranteed to them by the United States or state constitution or the laws of the state or the city, on account of race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability. (2) Study and collect information concerning legal developments constituting discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws under the United States or state constitution because of race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability, or the inadequate or partial administration of justice. (3) Appraise the laws and policies of the federal government, the state, and the city, with respect to discrimination or denials of equal protection of the laws under the United States or state constitution because of race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability, or the inadequate or partial administration of justice. (4) Collect and report information and establish forums and other means for dialogue concerning the social and economic progress and development of all citizens of the city. (5) Foster mutual understanding and respect among all economic, social, religious, cultural and ethnic groups in the city. (6) Assist in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process with respect to voting rights. (7) Cooperate with federal, state, and city agencies in their efforts to curb discriminatory practices. (8) Seek grants and donations on behalf of the city from foundations and others for the purpose of carrying out its functions, subject to the approval of the council and the mayor. The acceptance of such grants and donations by the city shall be subject to the provisions of section 9-314 of the city charter. (9) Report to the city council and the mayor on an annual basis concerning each of its duties. (10) Provide for execution within its jurisdiction of the policies embodied in this chapter, in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.A. 2000e et seq., and the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C.A. 3601 et seq. (11) Safeguard all individuals within its jurisdiction from discrimination because of race, creed, national origin or ancestry, color, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, age, physical condition or disability. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 19,278, § 1, 6-17-99)

New Orleans City Code § 86-6 Action by commission.

Sec. 86-6. - Action by commission. (a) The human relations commission shall act by and through its executive director. In all matters, however, the executive director shall act strictly in conformity with the recommendations of the advisory committee on human relations. (b) The human relations commission may act contrary to the recommendations of the advisory commission on human relations only if: (1) The city attorney has rendered a written opinion that strict conformity with such recommendations would be unlawful, and the mayor has certified his acceptance of such opinion in a writing directed to the members of the council; (2) The mayor has, in writing directed to the commission and distributed to the members of the council, suspended the obligation to act in such conformity until the adjournment of the next regular council meeting; or (3) The council by two-thirds vote has expressly overruled such recommendations of the advisory committee. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 19,278, § 1, 6-17-99)

New Orleans City Code § 86-7 Assistance of mayor and executive branch.

Sec. 86-7. - Assistance of mayor and executive branch. The commission or committee may request and receive from the mayor the use of such employees of his office as may be necessary for the proper conduct of business. The department of law shall serve as legal adviser for the commission and advisory committee, and shall have a voice but no vote in all matters. The services of all other departments of the city may be available to the committee upon its request to the mayor for such services. Information in the possession of any department, board, or agency of the city shall be furnished to the commission or committee upon request, and to the extent permitted by law, subject to any limitations upon its ability and capacity to furnish the information. Upon the refusal by any director or head of any department, board, or agency of the city to furnish any information which has been requested, the matter shall be referred to the mayor, who shall determine promptly whether such information shall be furnished to the commission and committee; and the decision of the mayor shall be final. The department of property management is authorized to allocate adequate office space and to provide necessary facilities for the commission, and shall provide a suitable meeting place for the advisory committee. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 19,278, § 1, 6-17-99)

New Orleans City Code § 86-8 Meetings.

Sec. 86-8. - Meetings. (a) The advisory committee shall meet for regular meetings at least once every two months at such time and place as shall be fixed by the committee. Special meetings may be called by the executive director, by the chairperson or, in his absence, by the vice-chairperson, and shall be called by the executive director on the written request of eight or more members of the committee. All such requests and all notices of meetings shall state the purpose or purposes for which such special meeting is to be called and shall be filed with the chairperson and served upon all members upon whom service can reasonably be made at least 24 hours before the time of the special meeting. (b) Such a request and call for a special meeting shall be read at the meeting and entered in the minutes, and no business shall be transacted except that stated in the request for such special meeting. (c) The executive director shall prepare the agenda and give all notices required for each meeting. The advisory committee shall keep minutes of meetings and shall establish its own rules of order or adopt Robert's Rules of Order for the conduct of meetings. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 19,278, § 1, 6-17-99)

Source: City of New Orleans, Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH86HURE_ARTIINEORHURECOFetched: 10/28/2026