Referred to: The Laws and Rules, Governmental Services Committee (Chairman

Roberts and Legislators Belfiglio, Donaldson, Lopez, Loughran, R. Parete and

Rodriguez)

Legislator Hector Rodriguez offers the following:

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature hereby finds that there is no

greater danger to the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the County than the

existence of prejudice, intolerance, and antagonism among its residents because of

actual or perceived differences, including those based on race, color, religion,

ethnicity, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, familial status,

gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law Section 239,

the County of Ulster is currently authorized to create and maintain a Commission on

Human Rights; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature finds that it is imperative that the

jurisdiction of the Ulster County Human Rights Commission, in relation to matters

within the County of Ulster, be concurrent with the jurisdiction of the New York

State Human Rights Commission, and

 WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature hereby seeks to amend New York

State General Municipal Law Section 239 to establish that the jurisdiction of the

Ulster County Commission on Human Rights, in relation to matters within the

County of Ulster, as concurrent with the jurisdiction of the New York State

Commission on Human Rights; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Legislature hereby requests that the New

York State Legislature introduce home rule legislation amending General Municipal

Law Section 239 to include the following language:

Nothing in this article shall be deemed to limit or reduce the

powers of the Ulster County commission on human rights,

and with respect to such powers, the jurisdiction of the

Ulster County commission on human rights, in relation to

matters within the County of Ulster, shall be deemed to be

concurrent with the jurisdiction of the New York state

division of human rights. 

and, be it further

RESOLVED, that these intentions be transmitted to New York State Senators

George A. Amedore, John J. Bonacic, William J. Larkin, Jr. and James Seward, and

New York State Assemblymen Kevin A. Cahill, Frank K. Skartados, Brian D. Miller,

and Peter Lopez,

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: NOES:

Defeated in Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on February 15,

2017

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE