AB 1661 harassment prevention training for California local agency officials
A live, two-hour session for city council members, county supervisors and special district board members, held at your chambers or meeting location. Built around Government Code sections 53237 to 53237.5 and delivered by Kevin Macho, SPHR, MAM, with 25+ years in law enforcement since 1994.
What the law requires
If a California city, county or special district pays any compensation, salary or stipend to its local agency officials, then all of its local agency officials must complete at least two hours of sexual harassment prevention training within six months of taking office and every two years after that (Gov. Code §53237.1, added by AB 1661 effective January 1, 2017). "Local agency official" means any member of the agency's legislative body and any elected local agency official (Gov. Code §53237).
The agency must keep records of the training dates and who provided the training for at least five years, and those records are public (Gov. Code §53237.2). Source text: Gov. Code §53237.1.
What the session covers
- Federal and California law prohibiting sexual harassment, including Title VII and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and the remedies available to victims.
- How harassment is prevented and corrected, and an official's role when a complaint involves staff, colleagues or the public.
- Retaliation, the most frequently filed charge with the EEOC, and how elected officials can create liability for their agency without meaning to.
- Practical scenarios drawn from council chambers, board meetings, community events, social media and one-on-one conversations with staff.
- Discussion questions and knowledge checks, plus a sign-in sheet listing the date and provider for your records under §53237.2.
Train the whole agency in one visit
AB 1661 training is in addition to the employee training required by Government Code section 12950.1 (Gov. Code §53237.5). Kevin can train your officials, then your supervisors (two hours) and staff (one hour), and add annual SB 553 workplace violence prevention training, all on the same day or over consecutive days. Neighboring cities and districts can combine into one session and split the cost.
Serving local government outside California? See training for cities, counties and public agencies.
This training is educational and is not legal advice. Under Gov. Code §53237.1(c), agencies should have their own counsel review curriculum content. Your agency remains responsible for its own compliance and records.
Kevin Macho, SPHR, MAM
Kevin has led nine organizations and spent more than 25 years in law enforcement. He teaches harassment prevention the way a good officer handles a call: calm, clear and practical, so officials leave knowing exactly what to do.
- 25+ years in law enforcement since 1994
- Police Medal for courage in the line of duty, Portland Police Bureau
- SPHR certification and a Master of Arts in Management
- Ranked #3 of 300+ trainers at the largest seminar company in the United States
- Live programs in 38 states
AB 1661 training FAQ
Who has to take AB 1661 training?
Under Government Code sections 53237 and 53237.1, if a city, county, city and county, or special district gives any compensation, salary or stipend to a local agency official, then all of that agency's local agency officials must receive sexual harassment prevention training. "Local agency official" means any member of the agency's legislative body and any elected local agency official, such as city council members, county supervisors and special district board members.
How much training is required, and how often?
At least two hours of sexual harassment prevention training and education within the first six months of taking office, and every two years after that (Gov. Code section 53237.1(b)). A local agency may also require its employees to take training under the same article.
What must the training cover?
The training must include information and practical guidance on the federal and state laws prohibiting sexual harassment, how harassment is prevented and corrected, the remedies available to victims of harassment in employment, and practical examples aimed at preventing sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation (Gov. Code section 53237.1(d)).
What records does the agency have to keep?
The agency must record the dates officials or employees completed the training and the entity that provided it, and keep those records for at least five years. The records are public records under the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code section 53237.2).
Does AB 1661 replace employee training under Government Code 12950.1?
No. Section 53237.5 says AB 1661 training is in addition to other training laws and does not replace Government Code sections 12940 or 12950.1. Your supervisors and employees still need their own harassment prevention training under section 12950.1, and Kevin can train both groups in one visit.
Is this legal advice?
No. The training is educational and is not legal advice. Under section 53237.1(c), an entity that develops curricula should consult its own legal counsel about the content, and your agency remains responsible for its compliance and records.
Schedule your council or board training
Tell us your agency, number of officials and staff, and preferred dates, and we'll confirm Kevin's availability within one business day.