Delaware County Council approved a human relations ordinance on Dec. 3, which will prohibit acts of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and health care. In September, the council passed a resolution establishing a 13-person volunteer human relations commission to hear complaints and mediate disputes. The members will attend training provided by the state, and they could begin hearing cases as early as summer 2026. “This ordinance provides a fair, accessible and community-focused way to address concerns, and it really does rely on education, mediation and early resolution,” Councilmember Monica Taylor said. Protected classes in the ordinance include: race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin or citizenship status, ancestry, sex, including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, relationship or association with a disabled person, source of income, age, veteran status, use of guide or support animals or mechanical aids, or domestic or sexual violence victim status.
Source: Daily Times; 12/4/2025