Mineola, NY - Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and fellow members of the Nassau County Legislature recently approved an amendment to a local law that will dramatically increase penalties and provide stricter enforcement of current Nassau County Human Rights Laws.

The strengthened law will provide the Human Rights Commission with meaningful enforcement powers, particularly in the area of housing discrimination. For example, the proposed law will prevent an owner or landlord suspected of discrimination from renting to another party during an investigation.

“"Everyone should have the same opportunity to buy or rent a home and I believe these tougher penalties will address the existing inequities and increase housing opportunities for all of our residents,” said Legislator Jacobs.

In May 2004, the Nassau County Minority Affairs and Planning, Development and the Environment Committees listened to testimony from over 20 speakers on the issue of housing discrimination. A study was also issued by A.C.O.R.N, a citizen advocacy group, which illustrated how common discriminatory practices were when minorities sought out housing opportunities in white neighborhoods.

The purpose of this amendment is to strengthen human rights laws by providing meaningful penalties for discriminatory practices and to provide for new mechanisms for the enforcement of laws prohibition discrimination in the rental of housing units. The old law, drafted in the 1960’s provided only minimal human rights enforcement powers and enforced penalties limited to as little as $100 and $500 or imprisonment for between 5 and 20 days. The new law dramatically increases penalties to $5,000 and $10,000 for a first offense and between $10,000 and $20,000 for subsequent offenses. The proposed law also would allow individuals more power to protect themselves against discrimination on the basis of “source of income, and the use of “Section 8” vouchers for housing costs.