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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 15, 2023 08:57 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Abby Major |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Strengthening Our House Ethical Conduct Rules |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce an amendment to our House Ethical Conduct Rules that will expand several important provisions related to sexual harassment as well as the transparency of the House Ethics Committee. My amendment will expand the definition of sexual harassment to include non-verbal acts that could be considered sexual harassment. It will also expand House Rule 2.1E to include a prohibition for Members and Officers of the House on engaging in sexual harassment while performing House related services or duties or in any House owned or lease property. The amendment will also include language that will provide the opportunity for an appeal of an Ethics Committee decision for complaints that were dismissed after a preliminary investigation if new evidence or information has been found. Finally, the amendment will provide for increased transparency related to the number of complaints filed before the Ethics Committee and their disposition. While the House expanded the House Ethical Conduct Rules in 2019 to cover incidents of sexual harassment by Members or Officers of the House against House employees, over the last few years there have been discussions about expanding the scope of the rules to specifically encompass complaints of sexual harassment by Members and Officers of the House in circumstances related to their office or employment. These changes will strengthen our House Ethical Conduct rules and I ask that you consider co-sponsoring these important changes. Thank you. |
Introduced as HR276