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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 25, 2019 12:37 PM
From:	Senator James R. Brewster
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Lobbyis Discrimination and Harrassment Training

In the near future, I will be reintroducing SB 1151 from last session that will amend Title 65 (Public Officers), Chapter 13A (Lobbyist Disclosure) to require lobbyists to receive biennial training on the prevention of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, as well as other prohibited activities under the statute. This legislation is part of a multi-bill package intended to address the all-too-common workplace harassment employees face in the Commonwealth and nationally. The #MeToo movement has provided victims the opportunity to bring their stories forward and educate the public on the pervasiveness of this issue. Now is the time to turn this momentum into action to foster safe, equitable, and accountable workplaces where jobs and promotions are not leveraged for sexual favors or where people are shamed for their background or identity. My bill will require the Department of State to develop or approve a training session for each lobbyist to take as a requirement of initial and ongoing registration. Lobbyists will then be required to provide proof to the Department that they took the training. If a lobbyist fails to take the training or provide appropriate documentation, the Department is to impose a penalty not to exceed $1,000. I hope that you will join me in in sponsoring this legislation.

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