MODEL BILLS
Public Agency Diversity Act
Summary: The Public Agency Diversity Act requires [an agency or agencies], when advertising for or recruiting new employees, to include advertising that is targeted toward underrepresented communities and individuals, and requires the appointment of a fair practices officer to meet certain requirements.
Based on Maryland HB 1349 (2014)
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act shall be called the “Public Agency Diversity Act.”
SECTION 2. PUBLIC AGENCY DIVERSITY
After section XXX, the following new section XXX shall be inserted:
(A) DEFINITION—In this section, “Department” means the [insert one or more agencies here].
(B) DIVERSITY REQUIRED—When the Department advertises for or recruits new employees, it shall include advertising that is targeted toward racial and ethnic communities or other individuals that are underrepresented in the Department workforce, including advertising in newspapers or on radio stations whose primary audience is the underrepresented communities and individuals.
(C) EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICER
1) The Department shall appoint a chief equal employment opportunity officer for each principal [office], who reports directly to the [director/supervisor] of that [office].
2) Each such chief equal employment opportunity officer shall be fully knowledgeable about equal employment law, procedures and practices and about diversity issues.
3) The Department shall provide training, assistance, and advice to such equal employment opportunity officers.
4) Among other duties, each chief equal employment opportunity officer shall:
a) Implement the diversity requirement in this subsection;
b) Investigate and, as appropriate, resolve complaints filed about equal employment opportunity and diversities issues;
c) Coordinate activities with other equal employment opportunity officers across the Department.
d) Monitor all personnel actions adopted by the [office]; ande) Attest that procedures consistent with this section and other State and federal equal employment opportunity laws were followed by the [office] in taking a personnel action.
SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
This law shall become effective on July 1, 20XX.