Article 3. Fair Housing

5-301.        Declaration of policy.

The practice or policy of discrimination against individuals by reason of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin or ancestry or in housing by reason of familial status is a matter of concern to the city, since such discrimination threatens not only the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the city, but menaces the institutions and the foundations of a free democratic state. It is declared to be the policy of the city in exercise of its police power for the protection of the public safety, public health and general welfare, for the maintenance of business and good government, and for the promotion of the city’s trade and commerce to eliminate and prevent discrimination, segregation, and separation because of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin or ancestry or in housing by reason of familial status. It is further declared to be the policy of the city to ensure equal opportunities and encouragement to every person regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin or ancestry or in housing by reason of familial status, and to ensure equal opportunities to all persons within this city to full and equal public accommodations, and to ensure equal opportunities in housing without distinction on account of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin or ancestry or in housing by reason of familial status.

5-302.        Complaints of violations.

Complaints of violation of this article shall be filed with the state human rights commission in accordance with its rules and regulations and state law.

5-303.        Construction.

The provisions of this article shall be construed liberally for the accomplishment of the purposes thereof. Nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to repeal any of the provisions of any other law of this city relating to discrimination because of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin or ancestry or in housing by reason of familial status, unless the same is specifically repealed by this article. Nothing in this article shall be construed to mean that an employer shall be forced to hire unqualified or incompetent personnel or discharge qualified or competent personnel.

5-304.        Definitions.

Definitions of terms used in this article and not defined herein shall be deemed to be the same as defined in K.S.A. 44-1002, as applicable, or K.S.A. 44-1015, as applicable.