Agenda Item Request
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Adopt the “Proposed 2026 Appendix B, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Misconduct Policy” to replace the existing domestic violence policy in Appendix B of the Cumberland County Personnel Policy.
Repeal “Appendix D3- Response to workplace-related incidents of sexual misconduct, domestic violence and dating violence” in the Cumberland County Administrative Regulations and Policies.
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Background
The County currently has a county-wide Domestic Violence Policy, which is located in Appendix B of the County’s Personnel Policy, and a separate policy entitled "Response to workplace-related incidents of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, and dating violence" in the County's Administrative Regulations and Policies. The policy in the Administrative Regulations was adopted to meet a condition of an Office on Violence Against Women grant the county currently receives and applies to individuals acting on behalf of the County under the grant programs.
Staff recommends repealing the policy in the Administrative Regulations and Policies and adopting the proposed 2026 Appendix B to the Personnel Policy. The proposed policy is updated to reflect recent changes in state law, including changes to the state’s Victim's Leave Act (26 M.R.S. § 850), which now requires employers to provide leave to attend treatment for a victim who is the employee’s child, parent, or spouse, and to require leave be granted in compliance with the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave law. Combining the policies also eliminates redundancy and conflicting provisions that could be difficult to apply to County employees subject to both policies.
Funding Amount and Source
N/A
Effective Date
Immediately.
Attachments
• Proposed 2026 Appendix B, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.