Posted: | August 23, 2019 04:31 PM |
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From: | Representative Frank A. Farry |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Proposed House Rule Change |
On January 1, 2019, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took the historic step of expanding the House Ethical Conduct Rules to cover incidents of sexual harassment by Members or Officers of the House against House employees. These new rules provide a process for complaints and investigations including, where warranted, referrals to law enforcement agencies. After investigation, if the House Ethics Committee determines that sexual harassment or retaliation has occurred, the Committee can recommend reprimand, censure, expulsion or the denial or limitation of other privileges granted a Member. The ultimate discipline would, as provided in Article II, Section 11 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, be decided by the House. Over the course of the last few months, there have been discussions about expanding the scope of the new rules to specifically encompass complaints of sexual harassment against a Member or Officer of the House in circumstances related to their office or employment. I plan to introduce this proposed change in the near future. Please consider co-sponsoring this important change to our House Rules. Thank you. |