Chapter 9.56
DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS PROHIBITED
A. In order to ensure that all persons, regardless of sexual orientation and/or 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, the city of Coeur d'Alene has determined that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression must be addressed, and appropriate legislation enacted.
B. It is hereby declared that every individual in the city of Coeur d'Alene 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. It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the city of Coeur d'Alene 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 city by preventing all of the city's citizens from contributing to the cultural, spiritual, social, and commercial life of the community. The contributions of all the citizens of the city of Coeur d'Alene are essential to the city's growth, vitality, and prosperity.
D. 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 city of Coeur d'Alene. The denial of fair and equal treatment under the law due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the city's citizens, and damages a city's economic well being.
E. This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the city of Coeur d'Alene for the protection of the public welfare, prosperity, health and peace of the city of Coeur d'Alene, its residents and the community.
F. 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 his or her right to file a report alleging a violation of Idaho Code section 18-7301 et seq., and/or his or her 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. 3466, 2013)
A. To deny to any other person because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression the right to work: 1) by failing or refusing to hire, 2) by discharging, 3) by barring from employment, 4) by discriminating against such person in compensation or in other terms or conditions of employment, or 5) otherwise discriminating against an individual with respect to employment.
B. To deny to or to discriminate against any person because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression the full enjoyment of any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges of any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement.
C. To deny to or discriminate against any other person because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression in the sale, purchase, lease or rental of any housing accommodation, or to otherwise discriminate in the terms and conditions, maintenance, improvement or repair of any housing accommodation. (Ord. 3466, 2013)
A. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, nothing in this chapter is intended to alter or abridge other rights, protections, or privileges secured under state and/or federal law. This chapter shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with first amendment jurisprudence regarding the freedom of speech and exercise of religion.
B. This chapter does not apply to:
1. Religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, or societies.
2. An expressive association whose employment of a person protected by this chapter would significantly burden the association's rights of expressive association under Boy Scouts Of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640 (2000).
3. The United States government, any of its departments or agencies, or any corporation wholly owned by it; or the state of Idaho or any of its departments, agencies, or political subdivisions, other than the city of Coeur d'Alene.
C. This chapter shall not apply: 1) to the rental of a housing accommodation in a building which contains housing accommodations for not more than two (2) families living independently of each other, if the lessor or a member of his family resides in one of the housing accommodations, or 2) to the rental of a room or rooms in a single-family residential housing accommodation by an individual if he or a member of his family resides therein. (Ord. 3466, 2013)
A. A violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in title 1, chapter 1.28 of this code.
B. A prosecutor may reduce the violation to an infraction, payable by a one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine, if the defendant engages in corrective actions, which may include, but are not limited to, the following: sensitivity training for the defendant and/or the defendant's employees; the defendant's agreement to adopt and pursue a policy of nondiscrimination in its practices; and the defendant's agreement to not engage in discriminatory practices in the future. The charge shall be filed as a misdemeanor violation and may only be reduced upon motion of the prosecutor. There shall be no right to a trial by jury for an infraction citation or complaint.
C. Any person who falsely reports a violation of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 3466, 2013)