Commission on Human Rights
Discrimination complaint agreement includes $20,500 for complainants

LOUISVILLE - The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners met yesterday at its headquarters to rule on discrimination complaints. The board ruled to accept one conciliation agreement to resolve a complaint in Frankfort, Ky. Conciliation agreements are reached through negations by commission investigators and are similar to settlements.

 The board dismissed 24 complaints with findings of no probable cause to believe discrimination had occurred. The board accepted one case withdrawal, granting the complainant the right to file a private suit, and dismissed four case withdrawals where the parties reached private settlements.

Conciliation Agreement Details:

 Yazell and Krider v. Shady Acres and Williams, in Frankfort, Ky.: In April 2009, with the assistance of the Lexington Fair Housing Council, Douglas and Vanessa Yazell of Lexington, Ky., filed a discrimination complaint based on the protected class of familial status in the area of housing.

They alleged that Shady Acres Mobile Home Park in Frankfort and its owner, Henry C. Williams, prevented them from purchasing a mobile home on the property owned by William and Tammy Krider because the Yazells have children.

In June 2009, the Kriders also filed a discrimination complaint based on familial status in housing because Shady Acres and Williams prevented them from selling the mobile home to anyone with children. The group of complainants alleged the respondents violated the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, specifically KRS 344.280 and KRS 344.360.

After a commission investigation, the commission was prepared to issue a finding of probable cause, a finding that states there is probable cause to believe discrimination has occurred. A final hearing was scheduled for February 2011.

Before the hearing, the parties agreed to conciliate the matter with an agreement. The respondents agreed to compensate the complainants in the amount of $20,500. The respondents agreed to comply with civil rights laws that protect people from discrimination, to undergo civil rights law compliance training and, for the period of two years, to undergo compliance monitoring.  

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and, through its relationship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Civil Rights Act. Both laws prohibit discrimination.

 The Kentucky Civil Rights Act protects all people in Kentucky from discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, familial status and tobacco-smoking status. The classes have varying requirements in the law within the areas of employment, public accommodations such as stores, restaurants and offices, housing, and financial transactions. Under the Kentucky Tax Code, the commission is also authorized to investigate private club memberships for discrimination practices. Members of those clubs who are found to discriminate in their memberships are prohibited from claiming certain tax deductions regarding their membership fees.

Anyone needing help with discrimination should contact the state human rights commission by calling 1.800.292.5566.

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