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

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

Rodriguez)

Legislator John R. Parete offers the following:

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the County of Ulster to protect all citizens

from discrimination, prejudice and intolerance, including those whose gender

identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression is different from that

traditionally associated with the legal sex assigned to that person at birth (hereinafter

known as "Transgender Individuals"); and

WHEREAS, the County of Ulster desires to prohibit discrimination against

"Transgender Individuals" and ensure full and equal accommodations, advantages,

facilities, services, opportunities and privileges to all Ulster County residents; and

WHEREAS, in October 2015, Governor Cuomo became the first Governor in

the nation to issue statewide regulations prohibiting harassment and discrimination of

"Transgender Individuals"; and

WHEREAS, these regulations, effective January 20, 2015, affirm that

transgender individuals are protected under New York State’s Human Rights Law;

and

WHEREAS, on July 11, 2017, the Ulster County Legislature held a series of

Public Hearings where Ulster County residents shared compelling testimony on this

relevant subject matter; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature believes that any alleged

discrimination of "Transgender Individuals" must be addressed swiftly; now,

therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that it is the policy of the County of Ulster to prohibit any and

all harassment and discrimination of "Transgender Individuals"; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the County of Ulster adopts the principles of §446.13 of the

New York Code of Rules and Regulations, as attached hereto as Exhibit A,

prohibiting discrimination of "Transgender Individuals"; and, be it further

 RESOLVED, that any complaint received by the Ulster County Commission

of Human Rights pursuant to this policy may be reported to the New York State

Division of Human Rights upon the discretion of the Commission,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: NOES:

Passed Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services as amended on

 August 14, 2017

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE