Council directs resolution requiring appointed boards to follow state and federal anti‑discrimination laws; draft pledge sent to ordinance committee

Councilman Mangus introduced a draft pledge and proposed policy that would require parish‑appointed boards and commissions to adhere to state and federal anti‑discrimination standards and to sign an acknowledgement; the draft also outlined progressive penalties for violations (public reprimand, suspension, removal).

Members of the public raised questions about redundancy with existing law, enforceability, whether the measure should be non‑binding or an ordinance, and the availability of the proposed language in advance. Daniel Robinson said the protections are already law and asked who would enforce the pledge and how refusal to sign would be handled. Several commenters urged mandatory education for board members and clearer, enforceable language rather than vague commitments.

Legal staff and council members said the item was presented as a draft to solicit public input and that civil‑service or higher‑authority boards (for example, the fire protection board where civil‑service rules apply) would remain governed by their own rules. The council voted to adopt a shorter resolution requiring appointed boards and commissions to follow state and federal anti‑discrimination laws and referred the draft pledge and penalty schedule to the ordinance committee for further drafting, with public stakeholder input invited.