(a) Each executive city agency or department that provides one or more city programs in which youths may participate, or that manages or controls city property where youths are regularly present or congregate, shall establish a clear policy for identifying, reporting, responding to, and preventing bullying and retaliation, as set forth in this article. Among other things, the policy must include the following components:
(1) Annual training on identifying and preventing bullying, and on the department’s or agency’s policies and procedures related to bullying, for all staff whose duties involve interacting with youths;
(2) Procedures for reporting, including anonymous reporting, and promptly investigating suspected incidents of bullying or retaliation, and for promptly protecting targeted youths from further incidents of bullying and for protecting persons from retaliation;
(3) Sanctions and remedies for bullying or retaliation, including but not limited to reprimands; bans or suspensions from city programs or city property; permit revocation; and removal from city property; provided that the sanctions and remedies must:
(A) Be designed to stop the bullying or retaliation, protect targeted youths or targets of retaliation, and prevent further occurrences of bullying or retaliation; and
(B) Account for the unique circumstances of each case, including but not limited to the nature, severity, and pervasiveness of the offense, and the disciplinary history, age, and developmental status of the persons involved;
(4) An appeals process for parties dissatisfied with the outcome of a bullying or retaliation investigation;
(5) Procedures for notifying the parents or guardians of youths suspected of bullying another youth or of retaliation, as appropriate, and procedures for notifying the parents or guardians of a targeted youth with the youth’s consent and as appropriate;
(6) Procedures for referrals to social or counseling services for targeted youths, youths who bully, and youths who witness bullying;
(7) Procedures to report suspected incidents of bullying or retaliation to law enforcement or the State department of education, where appropriate; and
(8) Procedures for ensuring that the city partners of the agency or department comply with the requirements of this article.
(b) The policies and procedures established by agencies and departments pursuant to this section must be:
(1) Maintained on a publicly-accessible platform or agency or department website; and
(2) Updated at least every two years to improve the agency’s or department’s response to incidents of bullying or retaliation.
(Added by Ord. 23-1)