§ 22-21. Trauma-informed care training.

(a) Definitions.

(1) In general.

In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(2) Agency.

"Agency" means:

(i) the Baltimore City Fire Department;

(ii) the Baltimore City Parking Authority;

(iii) the Baltimore Police Department;

(iv) the Department of Finance;

(v) the Department of Law;

(vi) the Department of Housing and Community Development;

(vii) the Department of Planning;

(viii) the Department of Public Works;

(ix) the Department of Recreation and Parks;

(x) the Department of Transportation;

(xi) the Environmental Control Board;

(xii) the Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore City;

(xiii) the Mayors Office of Criminal Justice;

(xiv) the Mayor's Office of Employment Development; and

(xv) the Mayor's Office of Homeless Services.

(3) Formal training.

"Formal training" means a didactic course or curriculum in trauma-informed care that is:

(i) developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland Department of Health, or the Baltimore City Department of Health; and

(ii) provided by the Baltimore City Department of Health or its designee in collaboration with the Task Force.

(b) Task Force members.

Each Task Force member shall participate in at least 1 formal training each year.

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, each agency head shall designate 2 agency staff members to:

(i) participate in at least 1 formal training each year;

(ii) collaborate with other agency designees in periodic worksessions and other informal trainings as organized by the Baltimore City Department of Health from time to time;

(iii) serve as the principal advisors to the agency head and agency staff in trauma-responsiveness and trauma-informed care;

(iv) collaborate with the agency's equity coordinator, as designated under § 39-8 {"Agency implementation – Equity Coordinator"} of this article, to ensure that the agency's equity assessment program is trauma-informed and trauma-responsive;

(v) assess the agency for training and technical assistance needs related to trauma-responsiveness and trauma-informed care; and

(vi) review and make appropriate recommendations to the agency head to align agency policies and practices with a trauma-intensive approach.

(2) Of the 2 agency staff members designated under paragraph (1) of this subsection:

(i) 1 staff member shall be an individual who:

(A) has decision-making authority in developing City policy; or

(B) serves as a principal advisor to the agency head; and

(ii) 1 staff member shall be an individual who, within the course of the individual's City employment, routinely and directly interacts with community members.

(3) In the event of a vacancy of one or both of the staff members, the agency head shall, within 90 days of the vacancy, designate another staff member to carry out the duties of this subsection.

(d) Departmental cooperation.

(1) The Baltimore City Department of Health shall provide any technical advisory support to designated agency staff in order for those individuals to carry out their duties under subsection (c)(1) of this section.

(2) The Department of Human Resources shall ensure compliance with the requirements of this section and report to the Task Force as necessary any difficulties regarding agency implementation.

(e) Progress report to Task Force.

On or before March 31 of each year, each agency head shall submit to the Task Force a progress report detailing its agency's progress and compliance with subsection (c) of this section.