CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Human Rights Code; adding Section 8 or other subsidy program administrator to the definition of person; clarifying the difference between reasonable accommodation and reasonable modification; broadening coverage of unfair practices related to reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications to any person; and amending Sections 14.08.020 and 14.08.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, subsection 14.08.040.D of the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) makes it an unfair practice to deny reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, on Monday, March 5, 2018, the Court of Appeals for the State of Washington, Division I, issued its decision in Seattle Hous. Auth. v. City of Seattle, 416 P.3d 1280 (2018), holding that SMC 14.08.040.D does not apply to the Seattle Housing Authority when acting in its capacity as a voucher administrator; and
WHEREAS, the Court of Appeals' opinion noted that "if the City wishes to extend the unfair practice requirement of SMC 14.08.040.D to include a requirement that Section 8 program administrators like SHA make reasonable accommodation..it can amend the SMC accordingly." (Seattle Hous. Auth. v. City of Seattle, 416 P.3d at 1286); and
WHEREAS, this legislation is in direct response to the Seattle Hous. Auth. v. City of Seattle case to clarify the classes of persons required to make reasonable accommodations to Section 8 or other subsidy program recipients under the SMC; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 14.08.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125576, is amended by amending a definition and adding a new definition as follows:
14.08.020 Definitions
Definitions as used in this Chapter 14.08, unless additional meaning clearly appears from the context, shall have the meanings subscribed:
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"Person" means ...
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