By David Fenker
The term “family” now has a new legal definition in Wabash County.
The Wabash County Commissioners approved an amendment to the Fair Housing Ordinance at their Sept. 19 meeting.
“It expands the definition of family,” County Attorney Steve Downs said.
The amended ordinance, General Ordinance 85-06-2016, amends section 2.2 of GO 85-4-2010 to include a broader definition of the term “family” which is inclusive of persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.
According to the new ordinance, family is defined as “a single individual or person, and a group of individuals or persons residing together, regardless of the actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital state of its members.”
Downs and the commissioners said that the update was necessary in order for the county to continue to receive federal funding.
Previously, the section said that family “includes a single individual with the status of such family being defined in subsection 2.8 of this Section.”
Subsection 2.8 defined “familial status” as one or more persons under 18 living with a parent or legal guardian.
The ordinance was approved on first and second reading without discussion.
The Fair Housing Ordinance prevents housing discrimination due to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin within Wabash County. It applies to both renting and selling housing.