§ 27-2. Definitions.

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where context clearly indicates a different meaning or a different meaning is given under another article or chapter:

Age shall mean chronological age greater than or equal to eighteen (18) years.

Aggrieved individual shall mean any individual who claims to have been injured by a discriminatory practice.

Board shall mean Osceola County Board of County Commissioners.

Disability, with respect to an individual, shall mean:

(1)

A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more of the major life activities of such individual;

(2)

A record of impairment that substantially limits one (1) major life activities of such individual;

(3)

Being regarded as having an impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more of the major life activities of such individual;

(4)

Having a developmental disability as defined in F.S. (2010) § 393.063(9), or as such section may thereafter be amended.

Discriminatory practice shall mean any practice or act made unlawful or which is otherwise prohibited by this chapter.

Familial status shall mean an individual's status established when such individual who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years is domiciled with (i) a parent or other individual having legal custody of such individual; or (ii) a designee of a parent or other individual having legal custody, with written permission of such parent or other individual. The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of familial status shall apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years.

Gender expression shall mean all of the external characteristics and behaviors that are socially defined as either masculine or feminine, such as dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interactions. Social or cultural norms can vary widely and some characteristics that may be accepted as masculine, feminine or neutral in one culture may not be assessed similarly in another.

Gender identity shall mean a person's innate, deeply felt psychological identification as a man, woman or some other gender, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth (e.g., the sex listed on their birth certificate).

Marital status shall mean an individual's status of being married, separated, or unmarried, including being single, divorced or widowed.

National origin shall mean the national origin of an ancestor or the country of origin of an individual's forebears, naturally, by marriage, or by adoption, including citizenship status, ancestry, place of birth, and language characteristics thereof.

Person shall mean and include an individual, association, corporation, joint apprenticeship committee, joint stock company, labor organization, legal representative, mutual company, partnership, receiver, trust, fiduciary, trustee in bankruptcy, unincorporated organization or any other legal or commercial entity; provided, however, a person shall not mean or include any federal, state, or local government entity, or any agency or unit of such entities to which the absolute protection of sovereign immunity extends.

Religious organization shall include a religious corporation, association, or society.

Religion shall include all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, unless an employer demonstrates that he is unable to reasonably accommodate to an employee's or prospective employee's religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business.

Sexual orientation shall mean an individual's actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.

(Ord. No. 2015-50, § 2, 8-17-15)