Final Audit Letter Report on the New York City Commission on Human Rights’ Compliance with Local Law 120 of 2020 Regarding the Creation of An Anti-Discrimination Poster

Executive Summary

This Final Audit Letter Report concerns the New York City Comptroller’s audit of the New York City Commission on Human Rights’ (CCHR’s) creation of an anti-discrimination poster. Local Law 120 is intended to make City agencies, and ultimately the City as a whole, aware of forms of discrimination prohibited by the New York City Human Rights Law. The objective of the audit was to determine whether CCHR is complying with Local Law 120 of 2020.

CCHR is the agency responsible for enforcing the New York City Human Rights Law (City Human Rights Law), educating the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law, and encouraging positive community relations.[1] CCHR is divided into two major bureaus: Law Enforcement and Community Relations. The Law Enforcement Bureau is responsible for the intake, investigation, and prosecution of complaints alleging violations of the City Human Rights Law, while the Community Relations Bureau works to provide public education about the City Human Rights Law and to help cultivate understanding and respect among the City’s many diverse communities through its borough-based Community Service Centers and numerous educational and outreach programs.

Audit Finding and Conclusion

The auditors found that CCHR complied with Local Law 120 of 2020. CCHR developed the required anti-discrimination poster, also known as the Notice of Rights poster, which provides information on the forms of discrimination prohibited by the City Human Rights Law including age discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, discriminatory harassment, bias based profiling by law enforcement, and lending practices. The poster also includes information on contacting CCHR, scheduling an appointment, filing a complaint, and requesting training. CCHR’s anti-discrimination poster specifies that the City Human Rights Law prohibits retaliation for opposing a discriminatory practice, filing a complaint of discrimination, assisting in an investigation of discrimination, or testifying in a proceeding related to a discrimination case. The auditors also received documentation from CCHR illustrating that the poster is displayed on the wall of employee areas within its Community Service Centers.

Audit Recommendations

The auditors recommend that CCHR continue to maintain its compliance with Local Law 120 to ensure that it effectively maximizes awareness regarding the forms of discrimination protected by the City Human Rights Law to help reduce discrimination and encourage positive community relations.

Agency Response

In its response, CCHR agreed with the audit’s finding and recommendation, stating, “We appreciate the acknowledgement of the Commission’s creation of an anti-discrimination poster and efforts to make City agencies, and ultimately the City as a whole, aware of forms of discrimination prohibited by the New York City Human Rights Law.”

[1] The City Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, religion/creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender (including sexual harassment), gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, marital status, and partnership status among other protections.