Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2020-681 directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of the Governmental Center to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT; AMENDING SECTION 16½-3 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"); PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF HAIRSTYLES AS A TRAIT OF RACE; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Mayor Dale V.C. Holness)
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Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the Office of the County Attorney at the direction of the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of August 25, 2020.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting an Ordinance amending Section 16½-3 of the Code to protect hairstyles as a trait of race.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On August 25, 2020, the Board directed the Office of the County Attorney to draft an amendment to Section 16½-3 of the Broward County Human Rights Act, Section 16½-1 et seq., Broward County Code of Ordinances, to include a classification protecting hairstyles as a trait of race.
If enacted, the Ordinance would provide for the protection of hairstyles as a trait of race. Numerous jurisdictions have enacted CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) acts to expand state and local civil rights protections. Generally, jurisdictions that have enacted laws for the protection of hairstyles define "race" as inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, and protected hairstyles.
Source of Additional Information
Adam Katzman, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.