ORDINANCE NO. BL2016-385

An ordinance requiring members of the Metropolitan Council and other Davidson County elected officials to receive training regarding sexual harassment awareness and prevention through the office of the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources.

WHEREAS, sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Tennessee Human Rights Act (Tenn. Code Ann §4-21-101, et seq); and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports that sexual harassment continues to be a significant workplace problem in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Civil Service Policy 3.1-I of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County provides that harassment of any person in the form of verbal or physical conduct based upon a person's race, gender, color, religion, national origin or disability, creed, gender identity, or sexual orientation will not be condoned; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Megan Barry’s Amended Executive Order nos. 006 and 007 require training of all Metropolitan Government employees, as well as all board and commission members, on sexual harassment awareness and prevention; and

WHEREAS, the training of all Metropolitan Government employees, as well as its board and commission members, is an important measure to enhance the performance of their public duties and to help limit the Metropolitan Government's exposure to civil liability; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the members of the Metropolitan Council, as well as the citizens and residents of Nashville & Davidson County, that training and instruction be provided to Metropolitan Council members and other Davidson County elected officials regarding sexual harassment awareness and prevention; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources currently maintains a program on sexual harassment awareness and prevention, offering training seminars in coordination with the Metropolitan Department of Law and the Human Relations Commission.

WHEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF NASHVILLE & DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That each member of the Metropolitan Council and all Davidson County elected officials shall participate in and complete a sexual harassment awareness and prevention training seminar conducted under the direction of the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources. Such training shall include information about the Metropolitan Government’s policies against sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender.

Section 2. That, notwithstanding Section 1, members of the Metropolitan Council and Davidson County elected officials who can establish attendance at a sexual harassment awareness and prevention training seminar or program within the preceding five (5) years are exempt from this requirement.

Section 3. That the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources shall report annually to the Vice Mayor on the status of the training provided for herein. The report shall specify the Metropolitan Council members and Davidson County elected officials that have complied, or failed to comply, with this Ordinance.

Sponsored by: Sheri Weiner, Sharon Hurt, Kathleen Murphy, Erica Gilmore, Brenda Haywood, Nancy VanReece, Burkley Allen, Mary Carolyn Roberts, Mina Johnson, Tanaka Vercher, Karen Johnson, Jacobia Dowell, Angie Henderson, Jeremy Elrod, Bob Mendes, Freddie O'Connell, Colby Sledge, John Cooper, DeCosta Hastings, Larry Hagar

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	September 6, 2016
Passed First Reading:	September 6, 2016
Referred to:	Personnel, Public Information, Human Relations, and Housing Committee
Passed Second Reading:	September 20, 2016
Passed Third Reading:	October 4, 2016
Approved:	October 5, 2016
By: