Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: March 11, 2021
To: Human Rights Commission
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
Presentation - Healthcare for All
Body
Action Requested:
No Action.
The HRC receives a presentation from members of the organization Healthcare for All Minnesota (Northfield Chapter)
Summary Report:
Members of Healthcare for All Minnesota (Northfield Chapter) will share information provided in the attached resolution on the topic of universal health care, policy alternatives, and a draft resolution.
The Human Rights Commission is encouraged to ask questions and have initial discussions related to the topic presented.
The following are some relevant sections of City Code and State Statutes that apply to this topic in relation to the Human Rights Commission’s role:
Human Rights Commission Purpose (Section 2-339 City Code)
The purpose of the human rights commission is to secure for all citizens equal opportunity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services and education and full participation in the affairs of this community by assisting the state department of human rights in implementing the state human rights act and by advising the city council on long range programs to improve community relations in the city.
Minnesota Human Rights Act
The Minnesota Human Rights Act protects Minnesotans from discrimination based on protected classes. A protected class is a group of people qualified for protection against discrimination, harassment, or bias. Every person is a member of a protected class because every person, for example, has a race.
The Human Rights Commission does have the following “duties and responsibilities” that may relate to this issue as it relates to advising the City Council:
“Section 2-340 (6) Act in an advisory capacity with respect to planning or operation of any city department on issues of civil and human rights and recommend the adoption of such specific policies or actions as are needed to provide for full equal opportunity in the community.”
Staff will be further reviewing the resolution, role of policy action by the Human Rights Commission on this topic, to bring back for further discussion at the April.
Alternative Options:
None recommended.
Financial Impacts:
Not applicable.
Tentative Timelines:
April - Further Review of the Topic and Potential Action