Chapter 175
2022 -- H 7737 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/27/2022

A N   A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Alzate, S Lima, Morales, Batista, McEntee, Cassar, Speakman, and Kislak

Date Introduced: March 02, 2022

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 42-11-2.7 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-11 entitled "Department
of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     42-11-2.7. Office of diversity, equity and opportunity established.
     (a) The office of diversity, equity and opportunity (ODEO) shall be established as a
division within the department of administration. The purpose of the office shall be to ensure
nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, and equal opportunity in all aspects of state government,
including, but not limited to, employment, procurement, policy and practices relative to state
programs, services, and activities.
     (b) The head of this division shall be known as the associate director of ODEO, who shall
be appointed by the director of administration, in the classified service of the state, and shall be
responsible to, and report to, the director. The associate director of ODEO shall oversee the ODEO
in all aspects, including, but not limited to, coordination of the provisions of chapter 14.1 of title
37 (minority business enterprise) and chapter 5.1 of title 28 (equal opportunity and affirmative
action) wherein the ODEO shall have direct administrative supervision of the state's equal
opportunity office.
     (c) ODEO shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
     (1) Develop, administer, implement, and maintain a statewide diversity plan and program,
including an equity, equal-opportunity, minority business enterprise, and supplier-diversity
program, as well as other related plans and programs within the office;
     (2) Provide leadership in the development and coordination of recruitment and retention
activities in order to promote diversity and encourage the use of bias-free methods and practices in
the hiring process, performance reviews, and promotions, and to ensure compliance with applicable
federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and policies;
     (3) Support the growth and development of the state's minority business enterprise program
by engaging in concerted outreach programs to build relationships, maintaining effective programs
to promote minority business enterprise utilization, and facilitating minority business enterprise in
State procurement activities;
     (4) Develop, coordinate, and oversee the recruitment, selection, and retention efforts and
initiatives to promote and achieve the state's diversity goals and objectives, developing and
recommending recruitment strategies, and assisting with special recruitment efforts directed toward
ethnic minorities, women, and other underrepresented groups; and
     (5) Provide leadership in advancing management's understanding, capacity, and
accountability for embedding diversity and equity in employment and human resource management
practices as an integral part of the state's employment opportunities.; and
     (6) Create and execute a strategic plan for increased cultural competency for all state
employees:
     (i) ODEO shall prescribe by regulation a cultural competency model training program;
     (ii) ODEO shall require all state employees to annually receive said the training program
beginning July 1, 2022; and
     (iii) For the purposes of this section, "cultural competency" means an understanding of
how institutions and individuals can respond respectfully and effectively to people from all
cultures, economic statuses, language backgrounds, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities,
religions, genders, gender identifications, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, immigration status,
and other characteristics in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth, and preserves
the dignity, of individuals, families, and communities.
     (d) The director of administration may promulgate rules and regulations recommended by
the associate director in order to effectuate the purposes and requirements of this act.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004179/SUB A
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