Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 8.24. to Ensure Compliance to the "Right to Report" Provision of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading, the proposed Ordinance that amends Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 8.24 to ensure compliance with the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2022.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve on second reading the Ordinance revising the OMC to ensure compliance with the VAWA.
Staff Contact:
Anastasia Everett, CDBG Program Specialist, Office of Community Vitality, 360.233.6197
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
Background and Analysis did not change from first to second reading.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization of 2022, effective
October 1, 2022, includes a new requirement for U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) recipients to support an individual's right to seek
law enforcement or emergency assistance. Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) recipients have additional requirements to report non-compliant
local laws and ordinances, or to certify compliance with VAWA.
The new requirement is to be compliant with Right to Report Emergencies from One's Home, which can be found at 34 U.S.C. 12495. This new law (hereinafter "Right to Report law") addresses the discriminatory practice of penalizing survivors and other individuals, including tenants, applicants, guests, and landlords, who seek law enforcement or emergency assistance for protection.
Upon review of OMC 8.24, and with an abundance of caution to ensure the City's local policies and ordinances are compliant with the VAWA, City staff propose to amend 8.24 to add language to ensure compliance with the Right to Report law.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Right to Report Law se...
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