Carmel Proposes Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Carmel will consider a new ordinance to protect citizens from discrimination at a City Council meeting next week. 

Mayor Jim Brainard along with six of the seven Council members are sponsoring the proposal  that would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or marital status, ancestry, age, and veteran status.

In the wake of the state’s controversial RFRA law, Carmel officials have said they would support an anti-discrimination measure.  In recent months other Indiana communities have considered similar ordinances and Indianapolis has had one in place for years.  

The Carmel City Council will vote on the proposal at its meeting Monday, August 17.   If it passes, people or businesses could be fined $500 a day for violating the ordinance.