A. Purpose: In order to ensure that all persons, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression enjoy the full benefits of citizenship and are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing, commercial property and the use of public accommodations, Ada County ("County") has determined that discrimination on these bases must be addressed, and appropriate legislation be enacted.
B. Rights of Individuals: It is hereby declared that every individual in the County has the right to work and earn wages through gainful employment, has the right to seek housing, and has the right to enjoy public accommodation and hospitality.
C. Public Policy: It is hereby declared the public policy of the County to foster the employment of all individuals in accordance with their abilities. Every individual has the right to work and earn wages through gainful employment. Discriminatory employment practices are detrimental because they impede the social and economic progress of a County by preventing all of the County citizens from contributing to the cultural, spiritual, social and commercial life of the community. The contributions of all the citizens of the County are essential to the County's growth, vitality and prosperity.
D. Intent: It is the intent of this chapter that all persons be treated fairly and equally, and it is the express intent of this chapter to guarantee fair and equal treatment under the law to all people in the County. The denial of fair and equal treatment under the law due to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the County citizens and damages a County's economic well-being.
E. Police Power: This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the County to provide for the safety, promote the health and prosperity, improve the morals, peace, good order, comfort, and convenience of the County, its residents and the community.
F. Supplement To Law: The prohibitions against discriminatory acts as provided for in this chapter are intended to supplement State and Federal Civil Rights Law prohibiting discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodations and housing. For complaints alleging discrimination on a basis proscribed under State or Federal law (e.g., race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin and/or disability) the complainant is advised of their right to file a report alleging a violation of Idaho Code section 18-7301 et seq., and/or their right to file a complaint with the Idaho Commission on Human Rights and/or the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission pursuant to title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended, or the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. (Ord. 908, 2-12-2020)