ORDINANCE NO. __________, SERIES 2022
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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 35 OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES ("LMCO") TO ESTABLISH PAID LEAVE FOR LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE VICTIMS OF A CRIME OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS GEORGE AND CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Government has an interest in holistically supporting its employees that are victims of crime, and
WHEREAS, the most recent Crime in Kentucky report from the Kentucky State Police indicated that Louisville Metro Police reported over 60,000 Grade A offenses in 2020--including over 14,000 assault offenses, 172 homicide offenses, and 342 sex offenses-and;
WHEREAS, statistics show that one of six women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime; and
WHEREAS, CDC data show that 37.5% of Kentucky women have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner; and
WHEREAS, whereas these same data show that the incidence of rape, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence Kentucky women experience is higher than the average incidence in the United States; and
WHEREAS, research from the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women indicate that domestic violence can impact a victim's ability to retain employment; and
WHEREAS victims of domestic violence lose an average of 137 hours of work a year; and
WHEREAS, victims of any crime may experience physical and psychological health care needs related to that crime; and
WHEREAS, victims of any crime may experience needs related to the court system, such as the need to file for an emergency protective order, testify in court, or otherwise participate in the prosecution of a crime, and
WHEREAS, studies suggest that those without paid leave are 3.0 times more likely to forego medical care when that care is needed (See LeaAnne DeRigne et al., Workers Without Paid Sick Leave Less Likely to Take Time...
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