A. 
There is hereby created a Commission on Human Relations, to consist of five members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council.
B. 
The Mayor shall designate the Chairman of said Commission.
C. 
In case of any vacancy, the Mayor shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term with the consent of the Council.
D. 
Of the initial members of the Human Relations Commission, two shall be appointed for terms to expire two years after the effective date of this chapter and three for three years from the effective date of this chapter. No member of the Commission shall be allowed to serve for a period of more than six years consecutively.
E. 
The Commission shall consist of both men and women who are broadly representative of racial, religious and ethnic groups of the City. All members of the Commission shall be residents of the City of Hagerstown.
A. 
The members of the Commission shall not receive any compensation for their services but shall be paid their reasonable expenses while engaged in the discharge of their official duties, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
B. 
The City Attorney shall act as general counsel and legal advisor to the Commission and shall represent the Commission at all hearings and judicial proceedings in which the Commission is a party.
C. 
In the event that any City officer, employee, agency, administrative board or department is a party to any proceedings or investigation in this matter and it is determined either by a vote of a majority of the Commission or the City Attorney that there would be a conflict of interest in such case, then the Commission may engage within its discretion other counsel from Washington County, Maryland, to act on behalf of the Commission.
A. 
The Commission shall have the authority and power to make such surveys and studies concerning human relations, conditions and problems as it may determine and to promote in every way possible the betterment of human relations. The Commission shall have and is hereby granted the authority to resolve and prohibit discriminatory practices by any person or group of persons of whatsoever nature or kind, whether specifically enumerated in this chapter or not, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age or physical or mental handicap.
B. 
In making such studies and surveys as set forth in Subsection A of this section, the Commission shall be authorized by the Mayor and Council to expend any funds which may be provided for in the budget of the City or otherwise made available.
C. 
On the basis of such studies or surveys, the Commission shall recommend to the Mayor and Council such additional legislation or changes in existing legislation as may be deemed desirable.
D. 
It shall be the duty of the Commission to submit an annual report to the Mayor and Council on or before January 1 of each year of the work of the Commission.
E. 
The Commission may conduct investigations and hearings in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter, enforce the provisions set forth in this chapter and enforce the provisions of the same as set forth.