(A) It is the public policy of the state to provide all of its citizens equal opportunity for education, employment, access to public conveniences and accommodations, and acquisition of real property through purchase or rental, and to eliminate segregation or separation based solely upon race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry, since such segregation is an impediment to equal opportunity. Equal education and employment opportunities, equal access to, and use of, public facilities and accommodations, and equal opportunity for acquisition of real property are hereby declared to be civil rights.
(B) The practice of denying the rights stated in division (A) above to properly qualified persons by reason of the race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry of such person is contrary to the principles of freedom and equality of opportunity and a burden to the objectives of the public policy of this county, and shall be considered as discriminatory practices. The promotion of equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry through reasonable methods is the purpose of this subchapter.
(C) It is also the public policy of this county to protect employers, labor unions or organizations, employment agencies, property owners, real estate brokers, builders, and lending institutions from unfounded charges of discrimination.
(D) It is hereby declared to be contrary to the public policy of the county and an unlawful practice for any person, for profit, to induce, or attempt to induce, any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person, or persons, of a particular race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry.
(E) It is further the public policy of this county to ensure that all handicapped persons shall be entitled to full and equal access as other members of the public to all housing accommodations offered for rent, lease, or compensation in this county; provided, however, that the effectuation of such public policy shall not require any person renting, leasing, or providing for compensation real property to modify his or her property in any way to provide a higher degree of care for a handicapped person than for one who is not so handicapped. Any person renting, leasing, or providing real property for compensation shall not refuse to accept a handicapped person as a tenant by reason of the fact that such person has a guide dog that assists such person in overcoming any particular handicap.
(F) This subchapter shall be construed broadly so as to effectuate its purpose.
(G) This subchapter, and any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to this subchapter, shall be broadly construed to accomplish the purpose of this subchapter and the policies of the Board of Commissioners.
(Ord. 74-I, passed 6-3-1974) Penalty, see § 10.99