(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Commission” means the Commission on Civil Rights.
(3) “Sexual harassment” has the meaning stated in § 20–601 of the State Government Article.
(b) (1) This section applies to all units in the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of State government, including all units with independent personnel systems.
(2) For the University System of Maryland, this section applies to each constituent institution.
(c) (1) Each State employee shall complete at least a cumulative 2 hours of in–person or virtual, interactive training on sexual harassment prevention within:
(i) 6 months after the employee’s initial appointment; and
(ii) every 2–year period thereafter.
(2) The training required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:
(i) information on the federal and State laws concerning the prohibition of sexual harassment;
(ii) best practices in prevention and correction of sexual harassment, abusive conduct, and retaliation;
(iii) remedies and procedures available to victims of sexual harassment in employment; and
(iv) additional training for supervisors regarding information on:
1. properly responding to complaints of sexual harassment and preventing further abuse and retaliation; and
2. creating and maintaining a workplace culture in which sexual harassment is not tolerated.
(3) (i) This paragraph applies only to:
1. a unit of the University System of Maryland;
2. Morgan State University; and
3. St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
(ii) The training required under paragraph (1) of this subsection may consist of webinar, computer–based, or online training.
(iii) If the training required under paragraph (1) of this subsection consists of webinar, computer–based, or online training, the training also shall include an evaluative component that:
1. ensures employee engagement in the training; and
2. assesses employee comprehension of training objectives.
(d) (1) (i) Each unit shall designate a representative to coordinate with the Commission to implement the training State employees are required to complete under subsection (c) of this section.
(ii) A unit may incorporate the training into existing employment training for new employees and supervisors.
(2) The Commission shall train each representative designated under paragraph (1) of this subsection in:
(i) the prevention of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation; and
(ii) best practices in sexual harassment prevention.
(3) The representatives designated under paragraph (1) of this subsection are encouraged to use Equal Employment Opportunity Commission materials to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
(e) If determined to be necessary by the appointing authority, a unit may require an employee to retake any part or all of the training, or to participate in additional classes or training.
(f) For a unit in the Executive Branch of State government, the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator established under § 5–206 of this article:
(1) shall enforce the requirements of this section; and
(2) may recommend to the Legislative Auditor, the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, or the Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services that the Office of Legislative Audits conduct a performance audit or review of a unit if the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator determines that the unit has not complied with this section.
(g) Unless the acts or omissions of an employee who completed the training required under subsection (c) of this section are willful, wanton, or grossly negligent, a person may not bring an action against the State for any act or omission resulting from:
(1) any training or lack of training of a State employee; or
(2) the implementation of the training required under subsection (c) of this section.
(h) The training required in this section is a minimum requirement and may not be construed to discourage or relieve any unit from providing a longer, more frequent, or more informative training on workplace sexual harassment prevention.
(i) The Commission shall adopt regulations to implement this section.