Suffolk Legislature to Consider Legislation for Reporting of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Claims

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Providing “Rights” Pamphlets to New Employees.

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The Suffolk County Legislature in session.

Photo by: Office of Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory.

Hauppauge, NY - February 5, 2018 - Members of the Suffolk County Legislature are expected to consider legislation at their meeting tomorrow, February 6, in Hauppauge at 9:30 a.m., that would require the Director of Labor Relations to provide each County Legislator with statistics for each County department that includes the number, type and disposition of employee disciplinary proceedings that involve sexual harassment or discrimination for 2015, 2016 and 2017. 
 
In addition, the County Attorney would be required to provide a list of all sexual harassment and discrimination claims filed against the County in court or before administrative bodies, with information on the case status for each of those years. 
 
Both departments would need to provide the data within 90 days of the effective date of the law and beginning in 2019 and beyond, County Legislators would be provided the data from both departments by February 28th for the previous year. 
 
Legislators will also weigh providing new employees with a “Know Your Rights” pamphlet which is maintained by the Department of Civil Services and Human Resources. The pamphlet will be provided to the respective payrolls representative of the hiring Department and the new employee will be required to sign a document acknowledging its receipt. 
 
Lawmakers will consider designating Veterans Organization to receive funding for Memorial Day Observances and authorize the acquisition of land under the New Enhanced Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program for open space preservation. This includes four parcels totaling 0.67 acres in the Mastic/Shirley Conservation area for $35,500. 
 
Legislators are also expected to address the County Executive’s veto of a charter law approved by the Legislature at its Dec. 19, 2017 meeting. The law would have authorized the County Comptroller to conduct solicitations for underwriting services in connection with private sales of county notes.
 
A resolution authorizing the use of 94 acres of county property for parking at Francis S. Gabreski Airport during the U.S. Open Golf Tournament at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in which the county would receive $70,000 will also be under consideration. The event is anticipated to have an economic impact of $120 to $130 million for the region. 
 
There are also public hearings scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. that include:
 
  • Providing legislative oversight of asset forfeiture funds;
  • Improving contracting and payment rules for contract agencies;
  • Establishing a temporary moratorium on ride-sharing services in Suffolk County;
  • Restoring affordability requirements for residential developments connecting to a sewer district;
  • Changing the composition of the Farmland Committee
For additional information, visit www.scnylegislature.us/ or contact Fran Evans at (631) 853-5499.