City Ordinance

The Equal Opportunities Ordinance of the City of New Haven, Chapter 12_ et seq., authorizes and empowers the New Haven Commission on Equal Opportunities to remedy discrimination complaints, and actively pursue and promote affirmative action and contract compliance within the City of New Haven. The Commission, in addition to its regulatory activities, provides educational, informational, and referral services to New Haven residents. To further these goals and objectives, the Equal Opportunities Ordinance is divided into five specific Articles.

Article I
Concerns the general regulatory power of the Commission on Equal Opportunities to deal with discrimination complaints within the City of New Haven. This Article empowers the Commission to prohibit and remedy unfair employment practices, to protect an individual's constitutional rights, privileges, and immunities, and to prohibit and remedy discrimination in all public accommodations, including housing.

Article II
Concerns hiring practices in the construction trades. This Article empowers the Commission to administer contract compliance and affirmative action areas pursuant to Section 12_-19 to 12_-33 of the New Haven Code of Ordinances. Under this authority, the Commission, through its Office of Contract Compliance and its Director, oversees affirmative action in city-related contracts. This includes vendor and suppliers for the City of New Haven. It also includes the monitoring of city-related construction projects in the area of minority and women business set-asides and the utilization of minorities and women in the work force. The Commission also acts as a liaison with other city agencies regarding affirmative action in city-related projects.

Article III
Concerns rent discrimination against families or single parent with children. This Article begins at Section 12-41 and prohibits discrimination against families with minor children. It empowers the Commission to receive complaints against discrimination and seek remedies.

Article IV
Concerns contracts and procurement. It states that payment or reimbursement of employees, expenses, associated with the use of exclusionary private organization, is prohibited.

Article V
Concerns prohibiting discrimination against persons with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or and AIDS-related conditions.