New York State Division of State Police v. McCall ( 1983 )

— Proceeding initiated in this court pursuant to section 298 of the Executive Law to review a determination of the State Human Rights Appeal Board, dated May 31, 1983, which reversed an order of the State Division of Human Rights dismissing respondent Matthew McDonnell’s complaint of an unlawful discriminatory practice based on national origin. On June 27, 1981, respondent Matthew McDonnell applied to petitioner Division of State Police for employment as a State trooper. His application indicated his Hispanic national origin. He took the required examination and his score placed him very high on the minority eligibility list. McDonnell thereafter received a notice indicating he was a successful candidate for State trooper. Subsequently, to establish his Hispanic-American status, he submitted a copy of his mother’s birth certificate showing her name to be Joan Opal Lopez, and certain documents indicating that his maternal grandfather was Spanish. McDonnell was ultimately advised that, after review of the documents he submitted, it had been determined that he did not qualify for the police Hispanic-American/Spanish-surnamed ethnic category. McDonnell then filed a complaint with the State Division of Human Rights alleging that the State Police had discriminated against him on the basis of his national origin in refusing to employ him under the minority program despite his Hispanic origin. The petition was dismissed based on a finding of no probable cause to believe that the State Police had engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice. On appeal to the State Human Rights Appeal Board, the determination was reversed and the matter remitted to the State Division of Human Rights for a public hearing. The State Police then initiated the present proceeding pursuant to section 298 of the Executive Law to review the adverse determination. In addition to the facts already mentioned, we note that by order dated October 19, 1979, the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York established guidelines for the Division of State Police to follow in order to achieve the long-term goal of having in its ranks personnel comprised of women, blacks and Spanish-surnamed Americans. The Human Rights Appeal Board specifically referred to this order in reversing and remitting for a public hearing. Petitioner advances several arguments urging annulment. Initially, it contends that the Division of Human Rights and the Human Rights Appeal Board lacked the requisite subject matter jurisdiction to make a determination with respect to McDonnell’s complaint. More specifically, petitioner argues that neither sections 296 nor 296-a of the Executive Law encompass the factual situation alleged in McDonnell’s complaint as one of discrimination and that the real issue presented is whether McDonnell is a Spanish-surnamed American and not whether he was discriminated against. We find these arguments unpersuasive. The Human Rights Law is to be construed liberally to accomplish the purposes enumerated therein (see Matter ofArnot Ogden Mem. Hasp, v State Div. of Human Rights, 67 AD2d 543, 546). In light of this principle, a fair reading of the complaint is that the State Police discriminated against McDonnell in violation of section 296 of the Executive Law by refusing to treat him in the same manner that it treated others of Hispanic national origin or ancestry in considering him for employment. Since the term “national origin” applies to “ancestry” (Executive Law, § 292, subd 8), it must apply with equal effect to an individual’s maternal line of ancestry as well as his paternal line. McDonnell therefore alleged a legitimate claim pursuant to section 296 of the Executive Law over which the Division of Human Rights had jurisdiction. Petitioner also contends that the appeal board exceeded its jurisdiction when it made reference to and construed the United States District Court order. In view of our reasoning and conclusion on the initial issue, we must also reject this contention. Furthermore, there is uncontradicted documentary proof in the record, apart from the reference to the court order, to support the appeal board’s conclusion that McDonnell was of Hispanic origin. Consequently, the appeal board did not base its decision solely on an interpretation of the Federal court order and, therefore, did not exceed its jurisdiction. Finally, we also find unpersuasive petitioner’s contention that the appeal board exceeded the scope of its authority, authorized by section 297-a (subd 7, pars d, e) of the Executive Law, in reviewing the determination of the Division of Human Rights. Determination confirmed, and petition dismissed, without costs. Sweeney, Main and Yesawich, Jr., JJ., concur.