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Authorizing, in conjunction with the City Labor Department and the Office of the Mayor, a “Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform” to reexamine the role and mission of the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, and its enforcement of the “Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code” (Title 4), the “Regulation Of Businesses, Trades And Professions” (Title 9), and departmental regulations of businesses, trades, and professions; to recommend revisions to the Code and changes to facilitate more effective enforcement of the code and to clarify the missions of various Departments and Agencies impacting businesses and workers in the City; to set a direction for future Administrations and City Council to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all workers, residents, and businesses in the City.
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WHEREAS, There is a need to identify a comprehensive set of recommendations to revise Title 4 and Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code, the Department of Licenses and Inspections to enforce the code as well as identifying recommendations that other City Departments can implement to better regulate the employment environment and protect the health, safety, and well-being of all workers, residents, and businesses in the City; and
WHEREAS, Such a comprehensive examination and review of Title 4 and Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code will require the cooperation and inclusion of the Mayor’s Office, especially the Labor Department; and
WHEREAS, A comprehensive review and examination will take an extensive period of time to consider legislative recommendations that can be enacted into law; and
WHEREAS, The next Mayor and the next session of City Council will be facing new and growing construction trade pressures brought about by the Federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act, as well as changes in City demographics impacting both the public and private sector workforce; now, therefore, be it
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. Establish a “Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform”. The Council hereby authorizes a “Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform” (hereafter referred to as “the Task Force”).
SECTION 2. Composition of the Task Force. The Task Force shall consist of eleven members, six appointed by City Council and five appointed by the Mayor of Philadelphia. Members of the Task Force shall consist of community members and stakeholders directly impacted by the City’s construction code, its enforcement, and its regulatory policies and practices. The Task Force shall appoint one of its members to serve as Chair.
SECTION 3. Purpose of the Task Force. The Task Force shall examine and recommend reforms to Title 4 and Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code, and its enforcement by the Department of Licenses and Inspections’ and any other departmental changes aimed at improving inter-departmental cooperation and cohesion in order to ensure safe and code-compliant building construction and better regulate the construction employment environment and protect the health, safety, and well-being of workers, residents, and businesses in Philadelphia
SECTION 4. Function of the Task Force. The Task Force’s charge shall include holding public hearings, soliciting information and feedback from citizens, workers and their representatives, and other business and community stakeholders, and conducting research on regulatory reforms in other municipalities.
SECTION 5. Meetings of the Task Force. The Task Force shall be convened within 90 days of its creation and shall meet at such times as a majority of its members deem necessary and appropriate.
SECTION 6. Report of the Task Force. The Task Force shall submit a preliminary report of findings and recommendations to the incoming Mayor and City Council by December 31, 2023, which should include an action plan for completing its review and investigation and submitting a full and complete report to the City Council with its findings and recommendations, to be made available to the public.
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