This article shall be known as the "Los Angeles Civil and Human Rights Ordinance." The City of Los Angeles has benefited, and will continue to benefit, from the economic, cultural and educational contributions of a wide range of groups and communities who are all too often targets of abuse and discrimination.
The City of Los Angeles has a duty to protect and promote public welfare within its boundaries and to protect residents and visitors against discrimination, threats and retaliation based on a real or perceived status. Such discriminatory and prejudicial practices pose a substantial threat to the health, safety and welfare of our community. This ordinance tasks the Commission on Civil Rights and the Civil, Human Rights and Equity Department to investigate complaints of discrimination and enforce against violators. By holding businesses and individuals accountable for discriminatory behavior, the City will make clear that discrimination will not be tolerated. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,032, Eff. 6/14/21.)
The importance of discouraging discrimination that denies equal treatment to any individual in private employment, housing, education or commerce is one of the highest mandates for the welfare of those living in, working in and visiting the City.