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Ordinance supplementing the City of Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title One: Administrative, Article III: Organization, Chapter 141: Offices Generally by adding a new Section 141.03 to establish the Office of Equal Protection.
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WHEREAS, The City of Pittsburgh and federal government have essential laws protecting workers’ rights, civil rights, and public safety, such as the Paid Sick Days Act, the Prevailing Wage ordinance, the Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity for Persons Previously Convicted ordinance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Disruptive Properties ordinance;
WHEREAS, these laws are designed to protect the public, including the City’s most vulnerable citizens, from unfair labor practices, discrimination, and public nuisance;
WHEREAS, these laws require civil enforcement and compliance from the City of Pittsburgh’s executive branch in order to protect the public;
WHEREAS, City government should be accessible to all and responsive to the needs of its communities to ensure that Pittsburgh is safe, welcoming, and thriving;
WHEREAS, for these reasons, the City of Pittsburgh seeks to institutionalize and expand its enforcement and compliance work by creating the Office of Equal Protection.
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The City Code, Title One: Administrative, Article III: Organization, Chapter 141: Offices Generally is hereby supplemented as follows by adding a new Section 141.03: Office of Equal Protection:
§ 141.03 - Office of Equal Protection
The Office of Equal Protection is an enforcement and compliance office that seeks accountability in workers’ rights, civil rights, and public safety. The Office of Equal Protection seeks to educate and engage with the public about their rights under law and ensure that Pittsburgh is a safe, welcome, and thriving city. The Office of Equal Protection will fulfill its mission by:
a. Enforcing and ensuring compliance with workers’ rights laws such as the Paid Sick Days Act (City Code Chapter 626) and Prevailing Wage (City Code Chapter 161);
b. Enforcing and ensuring compliance with civil rights laws such as Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity for Persons Previously Convicted ordinance (City Code Chapters 181 and 116) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101);
c. Enforcing and ensuring compliance with public safety laws such as the Disruptive Properties ordinance (Chapter 670);
d. Advising and collaborating with City of Pittsburgh Departments, Authorities, Offices, and other agencies on public education and engagement to help Pittsburgh’s citizens understand their legal rights;
e. Advocating for legislative and policy reform at the local, state, and federal levels; and
f. Pursuing other avenues of equitable enforcement to protect Pittsburgh’s citizens.
The Office of Equal Protection shall be headed by a manager in accordance with Chapter 141: Offices Generally, Section 141.01: Establishment, Rules and Regulations, and Organization and Control.