Commission on Human Rights
Kentucky Human Rights Commission issues June rulings

RICHMOND – The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners at its meeting today ruled to accept four conciliations. It dismissed 24 complaints with findings of no probable cause and two withdrawals without settlement but with a right to sue.

The commission held its meeting in Richmond at the Arlington Association to give people in central Kentucky the opportunity to learn about the commission’s purpose and about their rights to equal opportunity in Kentucky. The commission occasionally holds its board meetings away from Louisville headquarters for this reason and as budget allows.

Conciliations:

Michelle Carroll-Piver v. the City of Fort Thomas in Ft. Thomas: Michelle Carroll-Piver of Romeoville, Illinois, claimed the City of Fort Thomas discriminated against her at the West Southgate Park based on her minor son’s disability (causing him to use a wheelchair and walker) in a public accommodation. This would be a violation of the Kentucky and U.S. Civil Rights acts. The Kentucky Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator Office found the park to be noncompliant with ADA requirements. Prior to a commission determination of probable cause, the parties agreed to conciliate the matter. The city agreed to modify the West Southgate Park no later than nine months from the date of this agreement by providing a handicap parking space, installing an appropriate curb at the entrance, installing a new latch system at the gate for easier access and implementing several other modifications to make the park complaint with the ADA. The city agreed to compensate Carroll-Piver with $1,000.

Bobby Brown v. Jewish Hospital and St Mary’s Healthcare in Louisville: Bobby Brown of Louisville alleged the hospitals discriminated against him based on disability in a public accommodation, a violation of the Kentucky and U.S. Civil Rights acts. He alleged the facilities’ denied him an interpreter. The respondents denied any violations of the law, and the parties agreed to conciliate. The respondents agreed to compensate Brown with $2,500 and undergo civil rights compliance training and commission monitoring for one year.

Tamir Blay v. Securitas Security Services USA, provider of Town Square Mall Security in Owensboro: Tamir Blay alleged the company discriminated against him based on his race, African American, in a public accommodation, a violation of the Kentucky and U.S. Civil Rights acts. He claimed a mall security guard asked him for identification but did not ask Blay’s white friend who was shopping at the mall with him. He said a group of security guards escorted him off the mall premises and told him not to return. He claimed he was harassed and forced to leave because he is black. The company denied any violations of the law, and the parties agreed to conciliate. The respondent agreed to compensate Brown with $3,000 and undergo civil rights compliance training and monitoring for one year.

Sang Huynh v. Family Dollar Store at 5320 S. Third Street in Louisville: Sang Huynh alleged the store discriminated him based on his national origin, Vietnamese, in a public accommodation, a violation of the Kentucky and U.S. Civil Rights acts. He claimed he attempted to pay the cashier for his purchase but the person refused to accept payment saying she would not take change. However, the cashier just afterward accepted change from Hyun’s friend, a white American, Huynh and his friend alleged. The Family Dollar Store denied any violations of the law, and the parties agreed to conciliate the matter. The respondent agreed to compensate Huynh with $100 and undergo training and commission monitoring.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and federal civil rights laws.

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