§ 27-1. Declaration of findings and policy.  


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  • The board hereby makes the following findings and declares it to be the policy of the board that:

    (1)

    It is a matter of concern to the board to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all individuals to be free from all forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression; and that the board's purpose in enacting this chapter is to promote the public health and welfare of all individuals who live in, visit, and work in Osceola County; and that it is important to ensure that all individuals within Osceola County have equal access to employment, housing, and public accommodations; and

    (2)

    It is the desire of the board to foster and encourage the growth and development of Osceola County in a manner that will ensure all individuals an equal opportunity to live free of discrimination imposed by age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression; and that discriminatory practices are contrary to the public policy of Osceola County and are a menace to the public health and welfare of our citizens and, as such, the board shall direct its efforts toward eliminating discriminatory practices within Osceola County in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations where they exist; and

    (3)

    The general purpose of this chapter is to secure for all individuals within Osceola County freedom from discrimination because of age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression, and thereby to protect their interest in personal dignity, to make Osceola County secure against strife and unrest, to preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare, and to promote the interests, rights, privileges of individuals within Osceola County, and, in an effort to accomplish this purpose, to create a private cause of action to all individuals in Osceola County against such discriminatory practices.

(Ord. No. 2015-50, § 2, 8-17-15)