(a) Creation of Board. There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Board of Commissioners on the Status of Women ("Board") that shall serve as an advisory board to the Mayor, City Council, and General Manager of the Civil, Human Rights, and Equity Department or a successor department ("General Manager").
(b) Purpose, Powers, and Duties. The Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, City Council, and General Manager with respect to ensuring that all women and girls have the opportunity for full and equal participation in the affairs of City government and with respect to promoting the general welfare and human rights of all women and girls in the greater community through policy, advocacy, and education. In addition, the Board may:
(1) Advise the Mayor, City Council, and General Manager of the needs and issues facing women and girls in the City, with special emphasis on women in City government and within underserved populations, as identified by the Board;
(2) Maintain an active relationship with community-based organizations, academic institutions, civic and business organizations, and other key stakeholders interested in issues facing women and girls;
(3) Investigate pressing issues and develop policy and programmatic recommendations that advance the civil and human rights of women and girls in the City and provide them with positive opportunities in all aspects of their lives without discrimination. Such programs and policies may address, but shall not be limited to:
i. Economic opportunities, including recruitment and retention of women and young women in non-traditional careers currently underrepresented by women;
ii. Personal and public safety, including issues of intimate partner, community, and systemic violence;
iii. Fair and equitable access to health care, housing, transportation, and other public social services;
iv. Civil and human rights;
v. Education, including gender equity in educational institutions and access to comprehensive sexuality education within schools and the community;
vi. Methods to alleviate existing inequities in pay and employment opportunities between men and women;
vii. Studies and surveys on the status of women as requested by the Mayor, City Council, or General Manager; and
(4) Address any other matter important to the status of women and girls in the City of Los Angeles and perform such other duties related to this issue as may be requested by the Mayor, City Council, and General Manager.
(c) Membership. All members should have demonstrated knowledge and experience in areas related to the needs of women and girls. The Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The provisions of Los Angeles City Charter Section 502 shall govern the appointment and removal of the Board members. Selection will be in accordance with Charter Section 501(d).
(d) Terms of Board Membership. Board members shall serve four-year, staggered terms beginning with the first day of July of the year they are appointed. The Mayor shall initially appoint three members to terms that end June 30, 2012, and four members to terms that end June 30, 2014. The initial term of each member of the Board shall be designated in the appointment.
(e) Diversity Consideration. The Mayor, when submitting appointments to the City Council for approval, shall state the area of expertise and the related qualifications and experience of the nominee. The City Council shall review these qualifications as part of the confirmation process. The Mayor and City Council shall also ensure that the membership of the Board represents the City's diversity of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, and neighborhoods, in addition to other diverse communities of interest such as business and not-for-profit organizations.
(f) Compensation. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
(g) Officers. The Board shall, at the beginning of each fiscal year, elect from its members a President and Vice-President. The elected officers shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected, unless their membership on the Board expires sooner. The Board may fill the unexpired terms of a vacancy occurring in office of the President or Vice-President.
(h) Rules and Regulations. At its first meeting or as soon thereafter as reasonably feasible, the Board shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business.
(i) Meetings. The Board shall designate the time and place for regular public meetings, provided that each board shall meet not less than one time within a calendar quarter. Such meetings shall include opportunities for public testimony and public comment on Board business.
(j) Cooperation and Coordination with Other Agencies.
(1) Whenever practical, the Board shall coordinate its programs with other similar agencies in the region to avoid duplication of effort and ensure an effective working relationship between the City and other private or public agencies.
(2) All Boards, Offices, and Departments of the City shall cooperate with the Board to the fullest extent practicable and in a manner that would not conflict with the lawful and necessary conduct of their duties as provided by law.
(k) Solicitation of Funds. The Board may solicit and accept donations of funds which shall be placed in the Board of the Commission on the Status of Women Trust Fund established under Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 5.560.
SECTION HISTORY
Article and Section added by Ord. No. 187,032, Eff. 6-14-21.