NDHRC opposes some of the amendments to the North Dakota Housing Discrimination Act in this bill:

(1) Amending the North Dakota Human Rights Act so that businesses can choose to remove barriers for people with disabilities or provide an alternative means to access the services of a business.  An example of why this is of concern is a restaurant that chooses to provide curbside delivery of its food, rather than providing a ramp so that a person using a wheelchair can get into the restaurant & eat the meal there.  The Amercians with Disabilities Act only permits an alternative if the removal of a barrier is not "readily achievable"; as written, SB 2117 would give the restaurant the option of doing either.

(2) Codifying the Attorney General's position that they represent only the State in discrimination complaints

(3) Codifying the unavailability of compensatory and punitive damages through the department or in an administrative hearing under the North Dakota Human Rights Act

(4) Removing the requirement that the Labor Commissioner make a probable cause determination for all complaints filed with the Department.

If you'd like to help oppose these changes, please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and let them know that you support the NDHRC's objections.  You can send them an e-mail, or call them at 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (Bismarck).

Suggested comment:

I support the objections of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition to the changes in the North Dakota Housing Discrimination Act in HB 1158.  Please amend the bill to delete these changes.  They are not necessary and would decrease the effectiveness of enforcement of the North Dakota Housing Discrimination Act.

[Name]

[Address]

Thanks for your support!

Cheryl Bergian
Director
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
(701) 239-9323 (Fargo)