Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ENACT 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 Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness)
body
Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of November 10, 2020.
What Action Accomplishes
Permits the Board to consider enactment of 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. Other 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.
At the County Commission meeting of November 10, 2020, the Board approved correction of a scrivener’s error on page 2, line 2 ("locs"), which correction is included in the attached Exhibit 1.
Please also see Exhibit 3, which is a memorandum from Senior Assistant County Attorney Adam Katzman providing additional background information regarding this proposed Ordinance.
Source of Additional Information
Adam Katzman, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget is attached as Exhibit 2.