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PRINTER'S NO. 3395
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
684
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY PASHINSKI, MADDEN, O'BRIEN, DEAN, STEPHENS,
STURLA, D. MILLER, HANNA, MURT, HAGGERTY, SCHLOSSBERG,
DERMODY, SOLOMON, A. DAVIS, READSHAW, CONKLIN, DEASY,
CALTAGIRONE, DALEY, YOUNGBLOOD, HARKINS, SCHWEYER, FRANKEL,
WARREN, ROEBUCK AND D. COSTA, APRIL 19, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, APRIL 19, 2018
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Establishing the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual
Harassment.
WHEREAS, Recent events require a review of laws and
procedures relating to the reporting of sexual and other
discriminatory harassment and the protection of the health and
safety of employees in both public and private workplaces; and
WHEREAS, A review of these laws and procedures will help to
ensure that the Commonwealth is able to adequately protect its
citizens; and
WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the Commonwealth to
protect its citizens, particularly those persons in subordinate
positions in the workplace; therefore be it
RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
establish the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment
to conduct a thorough and comprehensive review to:
(1) Ascertain any inadequacies relating to policies
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addressing sexual and other discriminatory workplace
harassment in the private and public sectors.
(2) Restore public confidence in the ability of the
Commonwealth to protect the victims of sexual and other
discriminatory workplace harassment in employer settings and
their ability to safely report harassment;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force consist of the following
members, appointed within 25 days after the adoption of this
resolution by both chambers:
(1) Eight members knowledgeable and experienced in
issues relating to sexual and other discriminatory harassment
workplace policies or providing services to victims of sexual
or other discriminatory harassment or abuse as follows:
(i) Two members appointed by the Majority Leader of
the House and two members appointed by the Minority
Leader of the House. A member under this subparagraph may
be a member of the House.
(ii) Two members appointed by the Majority Leader of
the Senate and two members appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate. A member under this subparagraph
may be a member of the Senate.
(2) Five members appointed by the Governor as follows:
(i) One member shall be a member of the general
public.
(ii) One member shall be a member of a victim
organization or advocacy organization who is directly
involved in providing services to or representing victims
of sexual or other discriminatory harassment or abuse.
(iii) One member shall be experienced in the
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operation and interaction between employers and the
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the United
States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
(iv) Two members shall be attorneys at law, one of
whom shall be experienced in representing complainants in
matters involving workplace discrimination and harassment
and one of whom shall be experienced in representing
employers.
(3) The executive director of the Pennsylvania Human
Relations Commission, or a designee who shall be an employee
of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The designee
shall be appointed in writing, and a copy of the designation
shall be submitted to the chairperson of the task force.
(4) The Secretary of Administration, or a designee who
shall be an employee of the Office of Administration. The
designee shall be appointed in writing, and a copy of the
designation shall be submitted to the chairperson of the task
force;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Governor select the chairperson of the
task force; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force conduct its business as
follows:
(1) The physical presence of eight members constitutes a
quorum of the task force.
(2) Action of the task force shall be authorized or
ratified by majority vote of its members.
(3) A member not physically present may participate by
teleconference or video conference.
(4) The following shall apply:
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(i) The task force shall meet as necessary, but no
fewer than five times prior to September 30, 2018.
Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson as
necessary.
(ii) The chairperson shall schedule a meeting upon
written request of nine members of the task force.
(iii) The first meeting shall be convened within 45
days after the adoption of this resolution by both
chambers.
(iv) The task force shall hold public hearings as
necessary to obtain the information required to conduct
its review.
(v) The Joint State Government Commission and the
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission shall cooperate
to provide administrative or other assistance to the task
force.
(vi) Members shall not receive compensation but
shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred in service of the task force;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force have the following powers:
(1) To examine and analyze the practices, processes and
procedures relating to the response to sexual and other
discriminatory workplace harassment.
(2) To review and analyze law, procedures, practices and
rules relating to the reporting of sexual and other
discriminatory workplace harassment.
(3) To hold public hearings for the taking of testimony
and the requesting of documents;
and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the chairperson have the power to administer
oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before the task
force; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force have the following duties:
(1) To accept and review written comments from
individuals and organizations.
(2) To make, by November 30, 2018, a final report to the
Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives, which
shall be based on its review and include recommendations:
(i) To improve the reporting of and responses to
sexual and other discriminatory workplace harassment.
(ii) To implement any necessary changes in State
statutes and practices, policies and procedures relating
to sexual and other discriminatory workplace harassment.
(iii) To train appropriate individuals in the
reporting, investigation and resolution of sexual and
other discriminatory workplace harassment.
(3) To make reports as follows:
(i) The task force may file status reports and
updates with the Governor, the Senate and the House of
Representatives as it deems appropriate.
(ii) A report under this paragraph shall be adopted
at a public meeting.
(iii) A report under this paragraph shall be a
public record under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6,
No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force expire December 31, 2018.
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