Ordinance 15-16

This ordinance is sponsored by Councilmember Dorothy Granger. It amends Chapter 2.21 of the Bloomington Municipal Code entitled “Department of Law” to recognize veteran status as a legally-protected category and to recognize housing status as a quasi-protected category, adding both to the list of protected classes which currently include the following: race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity. The term “veteran status” is defined as a “veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard, or a member of a reserve component.” The term “housing status” is defined as “the type of housing in which an individual resides, whether publicly or privately owned, or the status of not having a fixed residence, whether actual or perceived.” The class of housing status will be subject to voluntary remediation in the same manner as a discrimination complaint based upon sexual orientation or gender identity. The ordinance also expands the list of protected categories in the city’s affirmative action requirements for covered contractors to include veteran status, housing status, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well the current categories, race, religion, color, sex, national origin and ancestry.