Monessen updates laws on discrimination

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Monessen City Council approved an ordinance that updates existing laws regarding discrimination and creates a human relations commission.

Council began discussing the possibility of approving the ordinance and the commission in November when Mayor Matt Shorraw first introduced it. 

Initially, council asked for more time to consider it as some members weren’t sure what the ordinance would affect and Solicitor Tim Witt let them know the typical structure of a human relations commission probably wouldn’t work in the city.

Shorraw said the original city law was written in the 1950s or 1960s and only covers racial issues. He said Pennsylvania and federal law is vague and has “a lot of holes in it.”

The new Monessen ordinance was fashioned after 60 Pennsylvania municipalities that have passed similar laws to close those holes. Erie and Allegheny counties have adopted similar ordinances, along with the City of Pittsburgh and Mt. Lebanon.

Shorraw said strengthening protections against discrimination is something more municipalities are hoping to do and making such a move puts Monessen at the forefront.

The ordinance prohibits discrimination in housing, commercial property, employment and public accommodations based upon race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, handicap or disability or the use of guide or support animals because the user is a handler or trainer of the animals.

The ordinance also provides for the creation of the human relations commission.

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