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Charter commission adopts updated nondiscrimination language, notes veterans hiring clause
Summary
The commission adopted revised nondiscrimination language for Article VI that tracks state/federal law and the city human‑rights ordinance and includes two sentences permitting bona‑fide occupational qualifications and veterans’ hiring preferences.
LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing Charter Commission voted unanimously May 6 to adopt updated nondiscrimination language for Article VI, aligning the charter with state and federal law and the city’s human‑rights ordinance.
The proposed text kept broad protected‑class language consistent with the commission’s earlier drafting in Section 1‑302 and added two sentences clarifying that consideration of a bona‑fide occupational qualification is allowed and that preferential hiring for veterans and their relatives is permissible as required by state and federal law. The attorney said those two sentences were taken from the city’s Human Rights Ordinance and reflect existing legal obligations.
Commissioner Washington asked why relatives of veterans were included; the attorney noted the phrasing mirrors the human‑rights ordinance and federal/state veterans’ preferences. The vice chair moved to adopt the proposal, and the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Updating the charter’s nondiscrimination clause aligns city charter language with existing state and federal protections and the city’s ordinance while explicitly preserving recognized exceptions for bona‑fide occupational qualifications and veterans’ hiring preferences.
What comes next: With the commission’s adoptive vote, the revised nondiscrimination language will be part of the charter text the commission is preparing to submit to voters or otherwise advance per the charter revision process.
