The governing body of any city or county may, by ordinance, create a commission on human relations. The governing body shall determine the number of members of the commission, the terms of the members, the manner of appointment of the members, the selection of a chairperson and the compensation, if any, to be paid to them. In selecting the membership of the commission, the governing body shall take into consideration, among other things, people from groups of various race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or civic interest, and people from other groups subject to prejudice and discrimination. The establishment of a commission at one level of local government shall not preclude establishment of a commission at other levels of local government.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 66, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)