KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Nearly two months after a tougher anti-discrimination law was narrowly defeated in Kirksville, the mayor of the northeast Missouri town has changed his vote and the measure passed.

Kirksville becomes the 14th city in Missouri to expand anti-discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

In approving the ordinance, the council voted Monday to create the job of human rights officer to investigate allegations of discrimination.

The original proposal would have created a human rights commission rather than a one-person officer. Since that proposal failed in early July, several community members have written to the council urging passage of the anti-discrimination measure.

Mayor Richard Detweiler, who previously opposed the measure, voted in favor of it. The law passed by a 3-2 vote.

The city ordinance exempts religious organizations, keeping it in line with state exemptions.