Two days after Prairie Village passed a similar measure, the Mission council on Wednesday approved a non-discrimination ordinance with legal protections for LGBTQ+ residents and employees.
The ordinance, which goes into effect Jan. 1, extends legal protections in the city to sexual orientation and gender identity, and also covers currently protected classes at the state and federal levels (such as race, ethnicity, military status, etc.).
The 7-1 vote drew a round of applause from the packed council chambers.
Because the ordinance covers currently protected classes in addition to sexual orientation and gender identity, the city of Mission can investigate all cases of nondiscrimination if a complainant so chooses, said city administrator Laura Smith. However, the city can also forward cases on to other sources such as the Kansas Human Rights Commission, if those cases involve instances of discrimination against classes protected at the state level.
The council’s vote also approved a penalty fee increase from $500 to $1,000, per the councilmembers’ discussion at committee level last week. Prairie Village also set its maximum penalty for a violation at $1,000.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)