Posted: | August 13, 2018 03:30 PM |
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From: | Representative Frank Dermody |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | House Rules – Discrimination and Harassment Involving House Members and Officers |
As legislators, we must commit ourselves to putting forth legislative initiatives that combat all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, in workplaces across Pennsylvania. That includes here in our own workplaces in the Capitol and district offices. While both House caucuses have written policies and procedures for investigating and responding to complaints of discrimination and harassment, recent cases involving allegations of sexual harassment have illustrated shortcomings in the process for addressing these complaints when they involve elected Members and officers of the House. As you know, Members serve upon election by the people and cannot be disciplined in the same manner as employees can be, and of course they cannot be fired. Similarly, officers of the House serve upon election to those positions by the House Members, making disciplining or firing those individuals equally as cumbersome. Consequently, the Pennsylvania House needs a defined process to handle discrimination and harassment complaints that involve Members and officers of the House. That process needs to facilitate a prompt and thorough non-partisan investigation and resolution with appropriate levels of transparency for the public and due process for complainants and respondents. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution that would amend our House Rules to ensure a safe workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment. The Resolution would amend the Ethical Conduct Rules of the House by:
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Introduced as HR1117