Human Rights Proposals Face More Study By City Council Is Concerned About The Costs Of Implementation

It’ll be at least a month before the City Council votes on two proposed human rights ordinances - one that would ban discrimination in Spokane and another that would allow long-term committed couples to register as domestic partners.

Council members want more information about the costs of implementing such laws, they said Thursday during a meeting with Spokane’s Human Rights Commission.

The council appointed City Attorney Jim Sloane to study Seattle’s anti-discrimination law and a domestic partnership registry approved in 1994.

A number of cities, including Eugene, Ore.; Madison, Wis.; and Minneapolis have similar laws.

“These ordinances can go a long way in improving the image of this city,” said commission member Keith Wolter. “Ensuring human rights is not only the right thing to do, but it’s good for business.” It shows that Spokane is “a friendly and welcoming city,” he said.

Although public testimony wasn’t allowed, more than 30 people showed up to hear the discussion between the commission and City Council.

The proposed ordinances have caused some controversy because they include protection of people based on sexual orientation and gender identity - rights not guaranteed in state and federal laws.

The proposed laws also would prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, age and familial status.

The ordinances have been in the works since last summer. After meeting with concerned citizens, former Mayor Jack Geraghty assigned the 13-member Human Rights Commission to develop an anti-discrimination plan.

It wouldn’t cost much to enforce the laws, said Frank Cikutovich, an attorney and commission member. In fact, the domestic partnership registry would create revenue. If the City Council approves the ordinance, both gay and heterosexual couples could pay $25 to register at the city clerk’s office. It also may cost couples money to remove their names from the registry.

But the cost of enforcing the anti-discrimination law still is unknown. That’s why the council wants more time to study Seattle’s law.

The Human Rights Commission still will work with people who file discrimination complaints, but the law would allow people to bring their complaints to the city hearing examiner if mediation doesn’t work.

Hearing Examiner Greg Smith told the council he isn’t sure of the law’s fiscal impact, especially since civil rights law is not his expertise. He may need some training, he said. “Costs shouldn’t be part of human rights,” Councilman Jeff Colliton said, adding that he wants to study existing anti-discrimination laws before making a decision.

The council plans to have another work session with the commission when more information about costs is available.

, DataTimes