EVERETT — Supporters say a new draft proposal to investigate civil rights complaints in Snohomish County shows progress, though some issues remain.
About three dozen people attended a meeting with the County Council on Tuesday about legislation to create a county-level Human Rights Commission. The concept is modeled on a state Human Rights Commission with similar powers to investigate and resolve complaints of bias. The complaints could involve workplace retaliation, disability, age, gender, ethnic background, religious affiliation or sexual orientation.
Councilman Dave Gossett crafted the new version to address legal and funding issues in an original draft created by supporters. At the end of the meeting, Gossett promised that county attorneys would work further on the idea. Concerns remained about how the local commission would operate without funding, given county budget problems, and when its enforcement powers would kick in.
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