Borough Drafts Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

At the direction of Borough Council, Newtown Borough’s solicitor has drafted an ordinance that would expand protections against discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Solicitor Paul Cohen used an ordinance passed last year by Doylestown Borough as a guide when drafting Newtown’s version.

The ordinance sets up a local volunteer Human Relations Commission to conduct mediation in circumstances of discrimination. Current state law does not include protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Cohen explained at a Borough Council work session Wednesday.

“A number of municipalities have adopted similar ordinances throughout the commonwealth,” Cohen explained.  “The Doylestown ordinance has been reviewed and is considered to be a well-crafted ordinance. We need to make it fit Newtown borough,” he said.

Council member Gerard O’Malley said he supported the ordinance.  “I think this ordinance lays out the road map,” he said.

But Council member Bob Walker said he wasn’t so sure the ordinance is detailed enough. “I want to be sure we have all our bases covered. If we don’t talk about the complexities before we pass this ordinance, I think it’s going to come back to haunt us,” he said.

The anti-discrimination ordinance will be reviewed at council’s regular meeting next week. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Chancellor Center.

In order for it to become law, it must be introduced by council, then advertised for public review before finally adopted.

Depending on how long the process takes, Newtown Borough could become the 23rd municipality in the state to pass an ordinance that protects all people, despite their sexual orientation or gender identity, from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.