ORDINANCE _________________

AN ORDINANCE creating the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities, establishing its responsibilities, providing its administrative support through the Office for Civil Rights, creating a new Seattle Municipal Code Section 3.14.933 and amending Seattle Municipal Code Sections 3.14.900, 3.14.910, 3.14.920, 3.14.930, 3.14.931, 3.14.932 and 3.14.940.

WHEREAS, people who have disabilities are entitled to full inclusion as equal citizens in society and the opportunity to achieve their full economic, social, cultural, civic, and political potential; and

WHEREAS, people who have disabilities are entitled to the freedom to experience environments without discriminatory barriers; and

WHEREAS, barriers that prevent people who have disabilities from participating in the decisions that affect them should be eliminated, and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City of Seattle to resist and remove such barriers, to promote the full integration and participation of people with disabilities into all areas of economic, political and community life, and to make it possible for them to realize their full potential and contribute to the common good; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 3.14.920 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows:

3.14.920 Commissions-Established--Membership.

There is established a Seattle Women's Commission, to be composed of twenty (20) members appointed from among those persons who are conscious of the discrimination against and oppression of women in this society, and who are working to eliminate these injustices; a Seattle Human Rights Commission, to be composed of fifteen (15) members who shall be representative citizens and shall include representatives of minority communities, other protected classes, and persons with a demonstrated concern and background in human rights; and a Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission, to be composed of fifteen (15) members appointed from among those persons who are conscious of the discrimination against and oppression of lesbians, gays and sexual minorities in this society, and who are working to eliminate these injustices, and a Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities, to be composed of fifteen (15) members appointed from among those persons who are conscious of the discrimination against, and oppression and neglect of people with disabilities, and who are working to eliminate these injustices. Upon the expiration of existing terms, new appointments to each position shall be made under this section by the authority originally appointing persons to that position, as follows:

* * *

B. Seattle Human Rights Commission,and Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission, and Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities: For each of these commissions, Sseven (7) members shall be appointed by the Mayor, seven (7) members shall be appointed by the City Council, and the fifteenth member shall be appointed by the Commission as constituted; provided that, such appointments shall be made so as to reflect the diversity of the community.

C. Pursuant to the Get Engaged program, SMC Chapter 3.51, one (1) designated young adult position shall be added to each of these three four commissions: the Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, and the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities. The terms of service related to a young adult member's role on each of these Commissions shall be as set forth in SMC Chapter 3.51.

* * *

Section 2. Section 3.14.930 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows:

3.14.930 Seattle Women's Commission--Duties.

* * *

F. Meet on a quarterly basis through a designated representative with the Seattle Human Rights Commission,and the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission, and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities to ensure coordination and joint project development.

Section 3. Section 3.14.931 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows:

3.14.931 Seattle Human Rights Commission--Duties.

* * *

G. Meet on a quarterly basis through a designated representative with the Seattle Women's Commission,and the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission, and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities to ensure coordination and joint project development.

Section 4. Section 3.14.932 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows:

3.14.932 Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission--Duties.

* * *

F. Meet on a quarterly basis through a designated representative with the Seattle Women's Commission,and the Seattle Human Rights Commission, and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities to ensure coordination and joint project development.

Section 5. A new section is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows:

3.14.933 Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities--Duties.

The Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities shall:

A. Provide information to the Mayor, City Council, and other City departments and offices concerning issues of importance to people with disabilities;

B. Assist City departments to address fairly the concerns of people with disabilities individually and as a protected class under City ordinances and other applicable laws;

C. As appropriate, recommend policies and practices to all departments and offices of the City and other jurisdictions operating within the City in matters affecting concerns of people with disabilities, and recommend legislation for the implementation of such policies;

D. Encourage understanding among the communities of people with disabilities and between the community of people with disabilities and the larger Seattle community through long-range projects;

E. Report on a semi-annual basis to the Mayor and the City Council. The reports shall include an annual or semi-annual workplan, a briefing of the Commission's public involvement process for soliciting community and citizen input in framing their annual workplans, and updates on the workplans; and

F. Meet on a quarterly basis through a designated representative with the Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission and the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission to ensure coordination and joint project development.

Section 6. Section 3.14.940 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 3.14.940 Commissions-Organization--Adoption of rules.

The Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, andthe Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities shall each organize itself and shall adopt such rules and administrative procedures for its own governance, consistent with City Charter and ordinances, as are necessary for its functions and responsibilities.

Section 7. Section 3.14.900 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows:

3.14.900 Office Established--Purpose.

There is established in the Executive Department an Office for Civil Rights to provide citywide leadership and guidance in the areas of civil rights and equal opportunity. It shall promote equal access to services within The City of Seattle and work to eliminate discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations for Seattle residents; recommend policies to all departments and divisions of City government in matters affecting civil rights and equal opportunity to all people; recommend legislation for the implementation of such programs and policies; promote awareness within City government and The City of Seattle through public education and outreach; and provide staff support for the Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, andthe Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission for Sexual Minorities, and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities.

Section 8. Section 3.14.910 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows:

3.14.910 Director--Appointment.

* * *

D. Provide staff support for the Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, and the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission, and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities and consult with and report regularly to the Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, and the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities on the workings of the Office for Civil Rights, and attend either in person or by designated representative, all regular meetings of the Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, and the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission and the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities.

* * *

H. Make periodic reports and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council concerning the operations of the Seattle Women's Commission, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, the Seattle LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Commission, the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities and the Office for Civil Rights;

* * *

Section 9. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2010, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of ___________________, 2010. _________________________________ President __________of the City Council

Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2010. _________________________________ Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2010. ____________________________________ City Clerk

(Seal)

November 18, 2009 Version 4