HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS4 -Overview of Iowa City Human Rights OrdinanceItem #WS4
STAFF PRESENTATION TO FOLLOW:
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240- 1 826
(319) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
Overview of
Iowa City's
Human Rights Ordinance
August 19, 2025
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History
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"To deal with the problems of the relationships of the various races, colors, creeds and nationalities living within the
community... with the purpose of eliminating prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, and discrimination."
Discrimination in housing as its first project.
September 1963 -August 1964
Human Relations
Group 7a Study
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Fair Horsing Law
Source: Iowa City Press City
Fair Housing Ordinance
:': I CI'I'Y -CMZEN
Fair Housing Ordinance Adopted
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Johnson Fortune+
Totals $3.4Million ;` z,
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August 18, 1964
Iowa Open Housing Law of 1967
Federal Fair Housing Act 1968
Source: Iowa City Press City
Civil & Human Rights Across Iowa
• Ames Human Relations Commission (1974)
• Bettendorf Human Relations Commission (1968)
• Burlington Human Rights Commission (1965)
• Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission (1974)
• Cedar Rapids Human Rights Commission (1963)
• Clinton Human Rights Commission (1968)
• Council Bluffs Human Relations Commission
• Davenport Civil Rights Commission (1962)
• Decorah Human Rights Commission (2005)
• Des Moines Human Rights Commission (1955)
• Dubuque Human Rights Commission (1963)
• Fort Dodge Human Rights Commission (1979)
• Iowa City Human Rights Commission (1963)
• Keokuk Human Relations Commission (1968)
• Mason City Human Rights Commission (1964)
• Marion Civil Rights Commission (2014)
• Mount Pleasant Human Rights Commission (Unknown)
• Sioux City Human Rights Commission (1963)
• Urbandale Civil Rights Commission (2008)
• Waterloo Commission on Human Rights (1966)
• West Des Moines Human Rights Commission (1998)
Why Are Local Human Rights Commissions
Important?
• Stronger protections: Allows communities the choice to go
beyond the minimum standards set by state or federal law.
• Faster response: Local commissions can resolve complaints
more quickly than state or federal agencies.
• Tailored solutions: Local ordinances can give communities a way
to address their own concerns.
• Community voice: Reflect the values and needs of the local
population.
Today's Commission
Human Rights Commission
• Expanded from seven to nine members.
• Outreach and education on human rights.
• Recommendation to the City Council for any further legislation
concerning discrimination as it may deem necessary.
Staff to the Human Rights Commission
• Two positions — a coordinator and an investigator.
• Assists with organizing the commissions events and activities.
• Carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of the ordinance like the
investigation of complaints.
• Outreach and education on human rights.
Coverage Areas
• Housing: includes buying, renting, leasing, of property.
• Credit: financial services, like loans, life, health, and accident
insurance.
• Education: cover academic classes, extracurricular activities,
research programs, and occupational or training programs.
• Employment: include hiring, promotions, and pay.
• Public Accommodations: cover businesses or public services that
are open to the public, such as restaurants, transit, libraries,
theaters, malls, parks, hotels, or hospitals.
Protected Characteristics are personal traits that theC.)V,"
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law protects so everyone can be treated fairly and
equally.
Only housing
• Familial Status: Persons who have a child or children under the age of 18 living with them.
This includes, pregnancy or someone in the process of gaining custody of a child.
• Presence or Absence of Dependents: Protects individuals whether they have dependents or
not regardless of the age of the dependent.
• Public Assistance Source of Income: Protection for people receiving income from federal,
state, or local public assistance programs (excluding rent subsidies).
All areas
• Age: Chronological age of any person.
• Color: Skin tone differences, even within the same race or ethnicity.
• Creed: Personal beliefs about religion, morality, or philosophy.
• Disability: Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities.
• Gender Identity: A person's gender expression or identity, regardless of biological sex.
Protected Characteristics Continued
• Marital Status: Whether a person is married, single, divorced, separated, or
widowed.
• National Origin: Birthplace, ancestry, or ethnic heritage, including language, accent,
or customs.
• Race: Social groups defined by shared physical traits, ancestry, or perceived
heritage.
• Religion: Religious beliefs, practices, and observances, including both organized
religions and sincerely held personal beliefs.
• Retaliation: Protection from adverse actions for reporting or participating in
discrimination investigations.
• Sex: Biological sex, including pregnancy/childbirth, and covering sexual orientation
and gender identity under modern interpretation.
• Sexual Orientation: Actual or perceived sexual orientation, including
heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, pansexuality, etc.
City's Protected Characteristics
Who is
PROTECTED?
g� fi� au oc
PROTECTED CLASSES
Age
/
/
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
/
Color
Creed
/
■
■
■
■
Disability
#
•
•
•
•
Familial Status
■
Gender Identity
■
■
■
■
■
Marital Status
National Origin
Presence or Absence of Dependents
•
•
■
■
■
/
/
i
/
■
Public Assistance Source of Income
■
Race
■
/
•
•
•
Religion
Sex
■
■
■
i
■
Sexual Orientation
■
■
■
Who Can File & Requirements
• Any person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory or unfair
practice may file a complaint.
• Complaints must be filed within 300 days of the last alleged
discriminatory incident.
• The incident must have occurred within Iowa City.
• Complaints must be signed and dated.
• All complaints are confidential, regardless of jurisdiction.
Investigation
• Complainant: Send a notice along with a copy of the complaint.
• Respondent: Served a copy of the complaint along with a set of
questions that include a request for relevant documents.
• Per the Ordinance: 20/30 & 7/15 Rule.
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After Response is Received....
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Decision Point:
Proceed with the investigation?
es No
Proceed with the investigation C Administrative Closure
Not a reasonable possibility of a PC finding,
or legal issues don't need further development
Notify the parties in writing
with a legal analysis explaining the closure
Complainant has 10 days
to object to the closure
Example Of Administrative Closure
No Discrimination Found
• Claim: Alex, age 20, said the landlord didn't renew his lease
because of his age.
• Evidence: The landlord showed records of late rent, noise
complaints, and an unauthorized pet. Other tenants around Alex's
age had their leases renewed.
• Outcome: The decision wasn't about Alex's age, it was about his
lease violations. The landlord has valid, non-discriminatory
reasons for the decision.
No AC? Investigation Continues
• If based upon the information we received from the respondent
there are still legal Issue(s) that need further development.
• Continue with the investigation
• Interview the parties involved, including any witnesses.
• Request additional information/documents from the both parties
that would assist us in deciding whether there is a likelihood of
probable cause.
What is Probable Cause?
Probable Cause
• Exists when there are reasonable grounds to believe
discrimination occurred
• Based on facts and circumstances sufficient for a reasonable
person to believe the claim is true
• In simple terms: if evidence would lead a reasonable person to
think discrimination happened
Example of a Probable Cause
• Claim: Erin, age 20, alleges their landlord didn't renew their lease
because of age.
• Evidence: The tenant had no violations, paid rent on time, and
kept the unit in good condition. The landlord made comments
about "getting rid of young tenants" and records showed tenants
under 25 were consistently denied renewals while older tenants
were renewed.
• Outcome: The landlord's actions were clearly based on age. The
decision was not based on behavior as a tenant, that would be
probable cause for age discrimination.
Conciliation
The Human Rights Coordinator works with both parties to settle the complaint.
Finding of PC: Employment case
1. Remedial Action —Correct the Harm
• Reinstate wrongfully terminated employees.
• Provide back pay.
2. Corrective Action — Ensure Compliance
• Update recruitment and hiring procedures.
• Remove biased screening tools.
• Require structured interviews with standardized scoring.
3. Punitive Action — Deter Wrongdoing
• Public statement acknowledging the finding.
• Additional monetary penalties if necessary.
4. Monetary Compensation — Remedial & Punitive
• Back pay, front pay, pain and suffering, legal fees.
• Additional funds to punish egregious or intentional violations.
Public Hearing
City Attorney Review: City Attorney determines if case is litigation worthy and
gives their recommendation to two Human Rights Commissioners.
If City Attorney finds the case is not litigation worthy and the Commissioners agree,
the case is closed.
If the Commissioners disagree with the City Attorney's finding then the Coordinator
proceeds with the complaint to a public hearing.
Public Hearing
Complaint becomes public.
Functions like a trial and heard
by an administrative law judge.
Post -Hearing: Commission may adopt, modify, or reject, the ALTs proposed
decision, which resolves the complaint.
Complaint Referral Process
Against the City of Iowa City referred to the Iowa Office of Civil
Rights (Iowa Civil Rights Commission), another commission, or a
private attorney to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
The City does not have jurisdiction over the University of Iowa or
any other state educational divisions so those are automatically
referred to the Iowa Office of Civil Rights.
Complaints Filed by Area 2021-2024
Areas Covered
-redit Education Employment Housing Public Accommodations
02021 02022 2023 2024
Complaints by Protected Characteristic 2021-2024
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Age Color Creed
III III
Disability Familial
Status
111
Gender Marital Status
National
Presence or
Public
Identity
Origin
Absense of
Assistance
Dependents
Source of
Income
■ 2021 ■ 2022 2023 2024
Race
1
Religion R�
Sex
1 I I
Sexual
❑rientation
2024 Geographic Distribution of Complainants
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2024 Complainants and Respondents
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PRESENTATION CONCLUDED
I r I
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240- 1 826
(319) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org