Council amends city code to clarify and preserve human‑relations enforcement powers
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Summary
Council committees adopted an amendment and recommended approval of Bill 23‑59, which revises chapters 6.51, 6.53 and 6.59 of the Pittsburgh Code to simplify language and clarify terms used by the Commission on Human Relations. Sponsors said the changes codify existing protections and do not conflict with federal law.
Council committees on Monday adopted an amendment and recommended approval of an ordinance to amend and clarify language in the city code governing the Commission on Human Relations and unlawful civil‑rights practices.
The legislation amends Pittsburgh Code chapters 6.51 (findings and policy), 6.53 (Human Relations Commission) and 6.59 (unlawful civil rights practices) to simplify wording, define terms related to enforcement of anti‑discrimination provisions, and preserve the city’s enforcement authority, sponsors said. "It codifies and clarifies what was already in city code," the sponsor said, urging adoption of the amendment developed in consultation with the law department and the Commission on Human Relations.
Council members and staff from the commission noted the changes are intended to ensure the city can continue to enforce anti‑discrimination protections even if federal policy shifts in ways that conflict with executive orders. Sponsors emphasized that the ordinance does not conflict with federal law and that the law department reviewed and recommended formatting changes.
The committee adopted the amendment and gave an affirmative recommendation for Bill 23‑59 as amended. Commission staff and sponsors thanked the law department and commission members for their work on the language.
