Title
Calling for the prompt discharge of the #METOO Act from the Pennsylvania House's Committee on Labor and Industry with an affirmative and favorable recommendation.
Body
WHEREAS, In late 2017, countless brave people came forward to share stories of the sexual harassment and assault, unwanted advances, and toxic environments that they were forced to endure, often using the Internet hashtag "#MeToo" to demonstrate solidarity and the glaring pervasiveness of these issues. To this day, people are still courageously recounting their experiences, and although these actions have never been acceptable, the calls for change now have a renewed fervor; and
WHEREAS, In December 2017, Pennsylvania Representative Leanne Krueger-Braneky announced that she would introduce the Member and Employee Training and Oversight on Pennsylvania General Assembly Act, or "#METOO Act". This legislation would create a new office modeled after the Independent Fiscal Office, which would hear allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and other related misconduct in the Pennsylvania Legislature. This office, called the Office of Compliance, would act independently and free of undue influence, investigating allegations and pursuing appropriate determinations; and
WHEREAS, The #METOO Act would further prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements that hide the names of legislators found guilty of these charges and bar the use of taxpayer funds for the payment of settlement costs by legislators. The bill would also permit the Office of Compliance to reimburse employees who are victims of this behavior and who file complaints with the Office for professional psychological therapy for duress that resulted from sexual misconduct in the event that they do not have access to health insurance; and
WHEREAS, The proposed law would codify in policy a victim's right to a lawyer or "victim's counsel" to represent them during the Office of Compliance's proceedings, mandate that paid leave or ...
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