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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2024-A055
Title: Amend Canon IV.2 [Of Terminology Used in This Title], Canon IV.11 [Of Investigations], and Cano IV.17.2.e [Definition of Terms]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Canons IV.2 as follows:

Investigator shall mean a person having (a) sufficient knowledge, skill, experience and training to conduct investigations under this Title and (b) familiarity with the provisions and objectives of this Title. Investigators shall be appointed by the Bishop Diocesan in consultation with the president of the Disciplinary Board. The Investigator acts under the direction of the Reference Panel until a referral is made pursuant to Canon IV.11.3; after such referral, the Investigator shall be overseen by and report to the Church Attorney.

And be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Canon IV.11.1 as follows:

Sec. 1. In each Diocese there shall be one or more Investigators. An Investigator is appointed by and acts under the direction of the Reference Panel until a referral is made pursuant to Canon IV.11.3; after such referral, an Investigator may be appointed by and shall be overseen by and report to the Church Attorney.

And be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Canon IV.17.2.e as follows:

e. Investigator shall mean any person who is qualified to serve as an Investigator under this Title, selected by the Disciplinary Board for Bishops the Reference Panel or Church Attorney.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Louisville, 2024 (New York: General Convention, 2024), pp. 733-734.

Legislative History

Author: Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Title IV Disciplinary Canons

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Title IV: Discipline Canons presented its Report #2 on Resolution A055 (Amend Canons IV.2, IV.11.1, and IV.17.2.e Regarding Investigators) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A055)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention amend Canons IV.2 as follows.

Investigator shall mean a person having (a) sufficient knowledge, skill, experience and training to conduct investigations under this Title and (b) familiarity with the provisions and objectives of this Title. Investigators shall be appointed by the Bishop Diocesan in consultation with the president of the Disciplinary Board. The Investigator acts under the direction of the Reference Panel until a referral is made pursuant to Canon IV.11.3; after such referral, the Investigator shall be overseen by and report to the Church Attorney.

And be it further.

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Canon IV.11.1 as follows.

Sec. 1. In each Diocese there shall be one or more Investigators. An Investigator is appointed by and acts under the direction of the Reference Panel until a referral is made pursuant to Canon IV.11.3; after such referral, an Investigator may be appointed by and shall be overseen by and report to the Church Attorney.

And be it further.

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Canon IV.17.2.e as follows.

e. Investigator shall mean any person who is qualified to serve as an Investigator under this Title, selected by the Disciplinary Board for Bishops the Reference Panel or Church Attorney.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #12)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Title IV: Discipline Canons presented its Report #24 on HD Message #12 on Resolution A055 (Amend Canons IV.2, IV.11.1, and IV.17.2.e Regarding Investigators) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #105)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 25.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons, Reports to the 81st General Convention, 2024.
Abstract:   The 81st General Convention amends Canons IV.2, IV.11.1, and IV to clarify the definition and role of the Investigator.
Notes:  

Many actions completed by the House of Deputies resulted in two messages being sent to the House of Bishops. The Acts of Convention followed the Journal Editor’s lead in using the first message number as the official message. House of Deputies Message #12 was followed by House of Deputies Message #54.