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Title:
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Amending Section 20-606 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Board of Ethics," by adding a requirement that the Board of Ethics conduct mandatory ethics training for Council members during each Council term.
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Title
Amending Section 20-606 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Board of Ethics," by adding a requirement that the Board of Ethics conduct mandatory ethics training for Council members during each Council term.
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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Philadelphia's elected officials owe a duty to the City's citizens to uphold the highest standards of ethical integrity. This requires avoidance not only of misconduct and conflicts of interest, but also the appearance of any such impropriety. Council will demonstrate leadership in this area by ensuring its members' knowledge and understanding of current ethical standards for their conduct as city officials.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Section 20-606 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
§ 20-606. Board of Ethics.
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(b) Mandatory Training and Education.
(i) The Board shall have the responsibility of training and educating all City officers and employees regarding the standards of conduct and ethics. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Board shall prepare and disseminate educational materials regarding the provisions contained within this Chapter and related interpretive regulations, including a Code of Ethics Manual, and shall develop and conduct routine and mandatory educational and training programs for all City officers and employees. The Board shall consult with City departments and agencies in developing and conducting routine and mandatory educational and training programs for all City employees. The Board shall conduct mandatory ethics training for all members of Council during each Council term. Failure to attend a mandatory ethics program shall be deemed a violation of this Chapter.
(ii) Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of the Ordinance adding this provision to The Philadelphia Code, each head of a City department shall provide a copy of this Chapter to all employees under his or her direction. Thereafter, on or before the tenth day after an individual becomes a City officer or employee, each head of a City department shall provide a copy of this Chapter to all such new officers or employees. Upon receipt of a copy of this Chapter, the City officer or employee shall sign a written statement that such officer or employee has read and shall conform with the provisions of this Chapter, and this statement shall be placed in the City officer's or employee's personnel file. Failure of a City officer or employee to receive a copy of this Chapter, failure to receive and sign such written statement, or failure to maintain the written statement on file shall have no effect on the duty of the City officer or employee to be in compliance with this Chapter.
(ii) Within one year of the effective date of the Ordinance adding this provision to The Philadelphia Code and annually thereafter, all elected City officers, all cabinet members, all City department heads, and all board and commission members, and their respective staff members as determined by the Board based on staff position, shall participate in an educational and training program conducted by the Board. Failure to attend the mandatory ethics program shall be deemed a violation of this Chapter.
(iii) The Board shall develop procedures for all City officers and employees to obtain informal guidance and assistance in understanding and maintaining compliance with the standards of conduct and ethics.
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Explanation:
Italics indicate new matter added.
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