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Pennsylvania State Senate
05/01/2024 10:09 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20230&cosponId=41740
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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: November 14, 2023 02:31 PM
From: Senator Kim L. Ward and Sen. Maria Collett, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, Sen. Tracy Pennycuick
To: All Senate members
Subject: Sexual Harassment Transparency and Accountability in State Government Legislation
 
Sexual harassment or misconduct in the workplace should never be tolerated. State government agencies have many procedures and training in place; however, the system still lacks fairness, transparency, and accountability. Soon we will introduce legislation to help address these vulnerabilities in the system. 

Those of us who hold public office or work in state government should set the example of workplace safety, respect, and transparency. Employees deserve to have a safe place to work and if needed, file complaints to a neutral party if an inappropriate action is taken against them. Subsequently, taxpayers should have confidence that their money is funding the work that needs to be done to keep Pennsylvania operating and competitive. Hiding settlements for sexual misconduct should not be permitted. The only way to address such serious matters is to do it together. Please join me and our colleagues by co-sponsoring these protections to help keep our employees safe.

 


Document #1

Description: Co-Prime Sponsors: K. Ward/Collett
Require the General Assembly and all state agencies to use a third-party to investigate all sexual harassment claims. In reviewing sexual harassment policies used by other state entities, this is not explicitly spelled out. This is a common practice already used in the Senate and others deserve this protection and consideration as well. 
 

Document #2

Description: Co-Prime Sponsors: Phillips-Hill/Pennycuick
Require the General Assembly and all state agencies to self-report the total number of monetary settlements with non-disclosure agreements as they relate to actual or threatened litigation against members or employees stemming from sexual harassment or discrimination based on sex. These reports will be posted, at the conclusion of the settlement, in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.