Countywide

Moving gingerly on a controversial topic, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday directed the county counsel’s office to draft an ordinance that would prohibit discrimination against persons with AIDS.

The board’s unanimous action came in response to a written report by County Counsel Lloyd Harmon Jr. stating that an anti-discrimination ordinance proposed last month by the San Diego Regional Task Force on AIDS was vague and “has significant legal problems.”

The task force’s proposed ordinance would prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, business establishments, insurance, county facilities and educational institutions. The measure would apply to persons with AIDS, persons with AIDS-related conditions, “persons regarded by others as having AIDS,” and persons “perceived as being at risk” of being a carrier of the AIDS virus.

Noting that the lack of specificity of some of those terms could raise serious legal questions, Harmon recommended--and the board agreed--that his office prepare a revised ordinance for debate. The draft is expected to be completed by the end of September, Harmon said.