Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                                            AN ACT

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                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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To require, on an emergency basis, the Inspector General to hire outside counsel for the purposes

       of reviewing previous investigations of sexual harassment complaints against the former

       Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Chief of Staff to the Mayor

       and to produce a report of findings within 90 days.

       BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

act may be cited as the “Sexual Harassment Investigation Review Emergency Act of 2023”.

         Sec. 2. (a) In Fiscal Year 2023 and subject to funding availability, the Inspector General

shall hire and direct independent counsel to:

                 (1) Review investigations of complaints of sexual harassment and violations of

Mayor’s Order 2017-313, effective December 18, 2017, against the Deputy Mayor for Planning

and Economic Development and Chief of Staff to the Mayor as of January 1, 2023;

                 (2) Investigate other findings and items outside of the scope of prior

investigations pursuant to paragraph (1) of this section, including hiring and promotion practices,

workplace culture, and allegations of retaliation against complainants; and

                 (3) Review and make recommendations on sexual harassment complaint and

investigation procedures of the District government.

         (b) The Inspector General shall provide findings and recommendations to the Mayor and

Council no later than 90 days after the effective date of this act.

         (c) Independent counsel hired by the Inspector General pursuant to subsection (a) of this

section shall have experience in confidentiality and sexual harassment law, including litigation

and mediation.

         (d) Any subsequent formal or informal complaints received related to the individual

investigated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be investigated by independent

counsel under the direction of the Inspector General.

         (e) The Inspector General may limit expenditures required to meet the requirements of

this act to $450,000.

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                                                                      ENROLLED ORIGINAL

       Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.

       The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact

statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved

October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

       Sec. 5. Effective date.

       This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the

Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than

90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section

412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788;

D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)).

               ______________________________

               Chairman

               Council of the District of Columbia

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Mayor

District of Columbia

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