§ 21-147 Domestic violence emergency shelter services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, gender non-conforming and non-binary residents.
AC § 21-147
a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Domestic violence emergency shelter. The term "domestic violence emergency shelter" has the same meaning as provided in section 21-141. LGBTQI+. The term "LGBTQI+" means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, gender non-conforming or non-binary. b. No later than August 1, 2023 and annually by August 1 thereafter, the department shall complete a review of the services and resources provided to LGBTQI+ individuals entering domestic violence emergency shelters including, but not limited to, efforts aimed at data collection about LGBTQI+ individuals utilizing domestic violence emergency shelter, and shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council, and post on its website, a written report including the following information: 1. The total number of survey forms distributed by the department pursuant to paragraph 4 of subdivision k of section 15 of chapter 1 of the charter; 2. The total number of individuals who self-identified as LGBTQI+ on the survey forms distributed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subdivision k of section 15 of chapter 1 of the charter; 3. A description of the department's efforts to collect data specifically about LGBTQI+ individuals utilizing domestic violence emergency shelters; 4. A description of what the department has determined are the specific service needs of domestic violence emergency shelter residents who identify as LGBTQI+; 5. A description of the types of services and resources provided at domestic violence emergency shelters specific to residents who identify as LGBTQI+; 6. A description of the department's outreach efforts to reach LGBTQI+ individuals who may be eligible for domestic violence emergency shelter services; 7. To the extent practicable, the total number of complaints the department received regarding domestic violence emergency shelter services provided to residents who identify as LGBTQI+, disaggregated by complaint type; 8. Recommendations for enhancing outreach efforts and services offered by the department specifically for domestic violence emergency shelter residents who identify as LGBTQI+; and 9. The total number of unduplicated department and contracted provider staff who have completed the training regarding LGBTQI+ individuals to be provided pursuant to subdivision c of this section during the preceding fiscal year. c. Beginning no later than six months after the effective date of this local law, and at least once every two years thereafter, the department shall, in consultation with a community based organization with culturally specific expertise in challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals who have experienced domestic violence, provide training to all appropriate employees identified by the department who work directly with clients at domestic violence emergency shelters. (L.L. 2021/130, 11/21/2021, eff. 5/20/2022)
