Commission on Human Rights
Kentucky Human Rights Commission rules on discrimination complaints at April meeting

THURSDAY APRIL 21 2011 LOUISVILLE, KY - The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners today at its Louisville headquarters ruled on discrimination complaints brought by people in the state. The board approved one conciliation agreement (similar to a settlement), dismissed 19 cases with findings of no probable cause to prove that discrimination occurred, accepted three settlement withdrawal requests granting the right for complainants to file private civil suits, and accepted four settlements with private compensation dollar amounts and private terms. The board approved private mediation agreements that resulted in approximately $6,500 dollars for complainants.

The conciliation agreement resulted from Complaint Number 1588-H, Deborah Fennell v. Alco  Management doing business as Saddlebrook Apartments in Richmond, Ky. Fennell alleged apartment management discriminated against her based on the protected class of disability in the area of housing. This would be a violation of the U.S. and Kentucky Civil Rights acts. Fennell said apartment personnel threatened to evict Fennell if she did not remove her service animal from her residence. Fennell asserted she requires the service animal to assist with regard to her disability. Although the respondent denied any illegal discrimination, the apartment management agreed to comply with the Kentucky Civil Rights Act by allowing Fennell to keep her service animal at the residence. The respondents agreed to refrain from making disparaging remarks regarding Fennell's disability or her service animal.

April is Fair Housing Month in the United States including Kentucky. The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights has been conducting Fair Housing training and education seminars during the month throughout the state to inform people of their rights to fair housing under the law. The commission is the state agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, which includes the Kentucky Fair Housing Act. The Kentucky Civil Rights Act protects people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, age, and tobacco-smoking status. The classes are protected with varying stipulations in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations and financial transactions.

People may contact the commission for help with discrimination by calling 1.800.292.5566. To learn more about civil rights, visit the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights website at www.kchr.ky.gov. From the homepage, find the links to the commission Face Book and Twitter pages to follow civil and human rights-related news stories.

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