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History and Background
On November 1, 2000, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners adopted Human Rights Ordinance 00-37.
The Ordinance prohibits discrimination based on race, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), national origin, age, religion, color, disability, and marital status in employment, public accommodations, procurement and contracting, and housing. Discrimination against families with children (familial status) is prohibited in housing.
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Human Relations Board
Thirteen (13) appointed persons who serve three (3) year staggering terms. The BOCC seeks representation from all ages, races, religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds, conditions of employment and both genders.
County residents interested in serving should contact the Boards and Councils Coordinator at 272-6461.
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Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction includes unincorporated Hillsborough County and Plant City. The Cites of Tampa and Temple Terrace have adopted their own Human Rights Ordinance to cover businesses in their areas.
Areas covered by the Ordinance:
Housing
All real estate transactions (residential and commercial) are covered. Excludes rooms or apartments in a building with four or fewer units if the owner or a member of his or her family lives in one of the units.
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Public Accommodations (Equal Access)
No person may be refused admittance, service or provided different conditions of service in any facility that is open to the public and licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Department of Business Regulation or Hillsborough County.
Membership clubs or other establishments not open to the public, which are by their nature private, are exempt.
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Employment
All employment practices are covered. Employers with five (5) or more employees working thirty (30) or more hours per week are covered by the ordinance. Existing Federal laws cover state and Federal employees, and these employees may file complaints through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR).
Employees of the State of Florida should contact the EEOC.
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Procurement & Contracting
Procurement Activities under the control of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners are covered.
If you believe that you have experienced discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations or procurement and contracting, you may file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Administrator.
You can complete an Intake
Questionnaire ( PDF, 7KB ) and mail or fax the completed document
to our office and a staff person will contact you.
Staff will determine if the allegations (what you believe to be discrimination) are covered by the Ordinance. If covered, staff will investigate the complaint and work with both parties to resolve the dispute.
Complaints must be filed within one (1) year of the incident for housing and within 180 days of the incident for employment, public accommodations and procurement and contracting.
Staff is obligated to conduct a fair and impartial investigation. Staff are not advocates for either party and do not represent either party.
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Other Assistance
Staff is committed to providing information and assistance in order to promote equal opportunities and prevent discriminatory practices. The staff is available to provide workshops and seminars.
If you have a question, concern, or complaint, or would like to learn more about the Ordinance (
PDF, 2.26MB ), please contact the Equal Opportunity
Administrator Office.
For assistance outside of Hillsborough County, you may contact:
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