Human Relations Commission
Doylestown Township ensures equality for each resident of the township. The ordinance in summary wishes to ensure the protection of the numerous classes of the township. The township serves as a reflection of the entirety of the nation, as such, Doylestown Township sees benefit in a law that protects all people from discrimination.
The Ordinance holds effect in all areas of the Township and will work to guarantee the fair and equal treatment of all persons under the law. This Ordinance does have an exemption, a religious organization, not supported in whole or part by governmental appropriations, has the right to refuse employment to a person on the basis of religion. However, this is the sole exemption of the Ordinance.
The HRC will be appointed their positions by the Board of Supervisors and a minimum of three members shall be Township residents. These positions can be given to residents, individuals who work full time in the Township, or business owners who operate in the Township. Doylestown Township wants to ensure that all people experience fair and just treatment in each opportunity in life, and with the help of the Human Relations Commission that goal will be taken in stride.
How the Doylestown Township Human Relations Commission Can Help
Ordinance NO. 426 establishes a list of protected classes (the list can be found down below). If you live, work, worship, or have visited the Doylestown Township and feel that you were discriminated against for being part of any of the protected classes, you can file a complaint and request that the Doylestown Township HRC function as a mediator for this dispute.
Mission Statement:
The Human Relations Commission shall work with Doylestown Township to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment in the township. Along with fostering greater inclusion and justice for those who live, study, work, travel, and worship in the Doylestown Township.
About Us:
The Human Relations Commission will consist of four members, who will serve overlapping terms of four years each. A minimum of three members shall be residents of the Township, individuals who work full time within the Township, or business owners who operate in the Township. The members of the HRC will be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, but the Commission may elect three nonvoting, ex officio members to broaden the Commission’s perspective. A member of the Board of Supervisors will serve as a liaison between the Board and the Commission.
The Human Relations Commission:
Not only is it a policy to ensure a person’s right to opportunities in housing, employment, and public accommodation, it is a duty of the township to ensure it for all people. Doylestown Township works to eliminate discrimination and harassment, which fueled the creation of the Doylestown Township Human Relations Ordinance.
In 2024, Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors passed the ordinance that established the Doylestown Township Human Relations Commission, which works to help safeguard the rights of all people regardless of, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, and more. The HRC will help to safeguard the public welfare, prosperity, health, and peace for the residents of the township.
If you have any questions or feel that you have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice within the borders of the Doylestown Township, please call Doylestown Township at #215-348-9915.
Human Relations Commission Timeline:
- The Complaint must be filed in person or mailed to the Township’s office or mailed to the Chairperson of the Human Relations Commission. These complaints must be given or mailed to the Township or HRC Chairperson within 180 days of the incident.
- Upon receival of the complaint, the HRC member will contact the individual who filed the complaint within 10 days.
- Within 30 days, the individual who filed will be notified is the HRC has accepted the complaint and that their complaint was sent to the person(s) charged with the discriminatory act.
- In those 30 days, both the individual who filed and the respondent(s) are given the option to proceed to voluntary mediation to resolve the matters that gave rise to the complaint.
Who are the Protected Classes?
All parties listed are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing, and public accommodation regardless of a person’s:
- Actual or perceived race
- Skin color
- Religious creed
- Ancestry
- Sex
- National origin
- Age
- Familial or marital status
- Genetic information
- Source of income
- Status as a returning citizen
- Veteran status
- Non-job-related disability
- Use of guide or support animals because of blindness, deafness, or mental or physical disability of the user or the user is a handler or trainers of support or guide animals and/or medical aids
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or gender expression
Exemptions
Not with standing any other provisions of this ordinance, it shall not be unlawful employment practice for a religious corporation or association, not supported in whole or in part by government appropriations, to refuse to hire or employ individual on the basis of religion.
Click here to read the full Ordinance
If you are interested in serving on one of our Boards and Commissions please send a letter of interest and resume to info@doylestownpa.org.
Meetings
Meetings are held as needed on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM in the Conference Room of the Doylestown Township Municipal Building.
Members
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Jacquelyn Kennedy | Chairman |
| Rev. Steven McComas | Member |
| Robert Ordan | Member |
| Susan Berg | Member |
| Jennifer Herring | Board of Supervisors Liaison |