Draft Human Rights Commission Law (Public Hearing Set for June 18 at 9:50 a.m.)
A Message from the Commission
To the Legislature/Sullivan County Community:
As you may know, the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission has not had an Executive Director since the fall of 2019. Three of our commissioners, whose terms expired in December 2019, were not reappointed as we had requested. They are in limbo. We have had no access to our email messages.
Under these circumstances, we are not able to perform all of the duties of the commission at this time.
I understand the Legislature has a plan for the commission moving forward, but until that plan is implemented, we will not be able to address any complaints. The community needs to be aware of this and to be encouraged to contact the New York State Division of Human Rights if they believe their rights have been violated.
Contact information for the NYS Division of Human Rights is below.
https://dhr.ny.gov/ to complete the complaint form on line, or call 1-888-392-3644. If you do not have access to a computer.
You can also call S.A.L.T. 845-596-0075 to help navigate the system.
Executive Committee of SCHRC
Martin Colavito, Chair (in limbo)
Judy Balaban, Vice Chair
Kathie Aberman, Secretary
Dayna Halprin, Treasurer
Our Mission
The Human Rights Commission was created in October 2005 to foster good relationships among communities and groups of people in Sullivan County. We all have a shared purpose, to make Sullivan County the best possible place to live regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, creed, gender, age, disability, actual or perceived sexual orientation/preference, marital status or a criminal conviction only to the extent provided by Correction Law 752.
Our Purpose
- To foster mutual respect and understanding in the general population for the rights of all persons in Sullivan County.
- To encourage equality of treatment for, and discourage discrimination against, a person on the basis of race, creed, color, religion or national origin, gender, age, disability, actual or perceived sexual orientation/preference, marital status, or criminal conviction to the extent provided by Correction Law §752.
- To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious, and nationality groups, and to act and relieve such tensions.
- To conduct and recommend programs of education to increase good will among the inhabitants of Sullivan County.
- To receive complaints of alleged discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion or national origin, gender, age, disability, actual or perceived sexual orientation/preference, marital status, or criminal conviction to the extent provided by Correction Law §752, and attempt to resolve such conflicts through intervention or referral.
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The Human Rights Commission meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 5:30 pm in the Legislative Chamber in the Government Center (Monticello).