D082 Create Task Force on Title IV Revisions
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
That the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church establish a Task Force on Title IV Revisions to be appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies to assess diocesan experiences with Title IV proceedings and propose an addition to Title IV based upon human resource best practices. It shall be the duty of the Task Force to study human resource best practices at institutions with similarities to The Episcopal Church and dioceses; to interview dioceses regarding Title IV proceedings; and to propose additions to Title IV that add a method of handling some complaints through model practices that are consistent with human resources best practices. The membership of the Task Force is to be accountable to the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons, will report to the 80th General Convention and include, as part of its report, proposed revisions to Title IV; and be it further
Resolved, That the 79th General Convention request the Joint Standing Commission on Program, Budget, and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $100 for the implementation of this resolution.
Explanation
This Task Force is being created to study and propose the use of human resource best practices to address some of the concerns the Church, dioceses, complainants, and respondents are having with the current Title IV procedures. These issues include: the time and expense of handling Title IV matters, unfunded legal costs to clergy-respondents, the influence publicity regarding proceedings, concern over complainants’ ability to easily access proceedings and fully participate in presenting their claims, the lack of guidelines for discipline, and the inability to implement progressive discipline as clergy move between dioceses.