Posted on 02/11/2025
The City Council adopted an ordinance to establish the Civil Rights Trust Fund, directing the City Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Civil and Human Rights and Equity Department (CHRED) to report within 30 days on its implementation and management.
This initiative follows the 2019 Los Angeles Civil and Human Rights Ordinance, which protects residents from discrimination in commerce, education, employment, and housing. CHRED was subsequently created to investigate and enforce these claims.
In March 2024, CHRED issued its first Notice of Violation against Smart & Final Stores, LLC and Non-Stop Security Services for discriminatory conduct, resulting in penalties of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Smart & Final has paid its fine, while Non-Stop has reached a settlement.
The new Civil Rights Trust Fund will allow CHRED to collect penalties for civil rights violations and provide payments to claimants per Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 51.07.