ORDINANCE _________________

AN ORDINANCE relating to the defense of claims against volunteers as provided in SMC 4.64.100.

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle recognizes that committed relationships, whether between members of the same or opposite gender, foster strong families, strong communities and economic stability; and,

WHEREAS, many people working in and living in the City of Seattle have demonstrated the committed nature of the relationships they are in by entering into marriage with a person of the same gender in another jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has long been a leader in efforts to expand civil rights, including the civil rights of its employees and volunteers; and,

WHEREAS, nothing in federal or state constitutional or statutory law prohibits the City of Seattle from providing a defense for claims against its volunteers who are married to a person of the same gender on the same basis in which it provides such a defense to its volunteers who are married to a person of the opposite gender;

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. It is consistent with the language and intent of Seattle Municipal Code Section 4.64 100 (Defense of claims against volunteers) for the City to provide the defense described in such section to volunteers who are married to a person of the same gender on the same basis that the City provides the defense to volunteers who are married to a person of the opposite gender.

Section 2. The City Attorney shall provide for the defense of claims against volunteers as provided in Seattle Municipal Code Section 4.64.100 in the manner described in Section 1.

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the ____ day of _________, 20__, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of __________, 20__.

_________________________________

President __________of the City Council

Approved by me this ____ day of _________, 20__.

_________________________________

Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of _________, 20__.

____________________________________

City Clerk

(Seal)

PEB:peb

03/10/04

ORDINANCEre employee defense 4-64

(Ver. 1a )