(a) Definitions. In this Section, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:
Director means the Director of the Office of Legislative Oversight or the Director’s designee.
Race means a social construct that artificially divides people into distinct groups based on characteristics such as physical appearance (including color), ancestral heritage, cultural affiliation, cultural history, ethnic classification, and the social, economic and political needs of a society at a given period.
Racial equity and social justice means changes in policy, practice and allocation of County resources so that race or social justice constructs do not predict one’s success, while also improving opportunities and outcomes for all people.
Racial equity and social justice impact means an estimate of changes in racial equity and social justice in the County attributable to a change in the law.
Social justice means that everyone deserves to benefit from the same economic, political and social rights and opportunities, free from health disparities, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, sex – including on the basis of gender identity or orientation, religion, disability, or other characteristics.
(b) Racial Equity and Social Justice impact statement. The Director must submit a statement to the Council describing the racial equity and social justice impact, if any, of each bill under consideration by the Council. The Director must submit a separate statement for each bill.
(c) Time for submission. A racial equity and social justice impact statement should be submitted to the Council:
(1) no later than 7 days before the public hearing on each bill introduced by the Council President at the request of the County Executive; and
(2) no more than 21 days after a bill sponsored by a Councilmember is introduced.
If the Director is unable to submit the statement within the time required by paragraph (2), the Director must notify the Council President in writing of the delay, the reason for the delay, and the revised delivery date. If the Council President finds that the revised delivery date is unreasonable, the Council President may set a different delivery deadline.
(d) Content of racial equity and social justice impact statement. Each racial equity and social justice impact statement must include:
(1) the sources of information, assumptions, and methodologies used;
(2) an estimate of both positive and negative changes in racial equity and social justice in the County as a result of the implementation of the bill;
(3) recommended amendments that may promote racial equity and social justice; and
(4) if a bill is likely to have no racial equity or social justice impact, why that is the case.
(e) Compliance. Council action on an expedited bill that is otherwise valid is not invalid because of any failure to follow the requirements of this Section. (2019 L.M.C., ch. 27, §1.)
Editor’s note—2019 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 2, states:
Transition and Effective Date.
(a) The first report of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice required in Section 1 must be submitted to the Council on or before September 30, 2020 and the first report of the Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee required in Section 1 must be submitted to the Executive and the Council on or before December 1, 2020.
(b) Section 2-81C as added by Section 1 of this Act takes effect on August 1, 2020.
