Northampton County Council unanimously adopted a human relations commission and corresponding human relations ordinance at its meeting March 19. The ordinance creates a commission that will enforce the human relations ordinance, which covers nondiscrimination requirements for employment, housing, education, health care and public accommodations.

Lehigh County passed a similar ordinance in 2024.

“I think what this ordinance expresses is that you have the right to live your life, to get a job, to live in your home, regardless of who you are,” Councilman Jason Boulette said. “I don’t think that’s radical. I don’t think that’s drastic. I think that’s basic fairness. I think this ordinance is an important step to take.”

Under the ordinance, “it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in discrimination against any person on the basis of a protected class in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, access to educational institutions or provision of health care.”

The ordinance expands upon existing state law, council Vice Chair Jeff Warren said.

“Under this county measure, our veterans are going to be protected from discrimination,” Warren said. “They currently are not under state law. Under this county measure, those who have gone through domestic violence will be protected from discrimination. They currently are not under state law. Under this measure, sexual orientation will be protected, currently not under state law, and our citizens’ education and their health care are not included in the state law.”

Protected classes within the ordinance include actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, familial status, GED rather than high school diploma, mental disability, relationship or association with a disabled person, source of income, age, height, weight, veteran status, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids and domestic or sexual violence victim status, according to a news release issued on the Northampton County website.

A backlog of cases exists at the state level and this ordinance and commission will help Northampton County residents have complaints heard in a more timely manner, Warren said.

Several members of the public spoke in favor of the ordinance during public comment.

“Having a local remedy as opposed to going to the state level, where it can take two years, is a benefit to both sides in an investigation,” said Joe Welsh, of East Allen Township, founder and executive director of the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute. “Think of the additional categories of Northampton County residents who will be protected from discrimination (by passing the ordinance).”

No members of the public spoke in opposition.

Before adopting the ordinance, council approved a series of amendments clarifying the frequency of written reports to the council, member appointment timelines and eliminating expense reimbursement language for now. In proposing the amendments, Councilwoman Lori Vargo Heffner said she supported the ordinance but felt these logistical changes were needed to align the ordinance with similar county ordinances and county Home Rule charter.

The commission will consist of seven members, reflecting the diversity of protected classes, appointed by the county executive and approved by the county council, according to the news release, which went on to say that if the commission investigates and substantiates the discrimination, it can fine the offender up to $600.

In other news from the meeting, council unanimously approved an ordinance agreement with Wilson Borough and Wilson Area School District to participate in and authorize the creation of a proposed tax increment financing district at the site of the old Dixie Cup manufacturing facility and adjacent parking lot in Wilson.

County council approved several appointments and re-appointments including reappointing Stefanie Green, of Northampton, to the parks, recreation and open space advisory board and the reappointment of Thomas Sedor, of Northampton, to the revenue appeals board.

County council approved modifying a part-time first assistant public defender to a full-time position.

Contracts were approved for kitchen equipment maintenance at Northampton County Prison with H.T. Lyons Inc.; employee uniforms for the department of corrections with Patriot Workwear; and Tenex Software Solutions and Data Center Warehouse for a precinct central ePollbook hardware upgrade.

Council adopted a land amendment resolution regarding the South Bethlehem Greenway.

Council also approved a transfer of $15,000 out of contingency for SoberPlatz at Musikfest for 2026.