State responses to #MeToo lean toward transparency, fairness

The #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct has prompted many state legislatures to reconsider their internal policies and state laws on the issue.

Although about half of House and Senate legislative chambers nationwide have taken no substantive action this year, the measures adopted in other states have addressed a variety of issues, including training, investigations and public disclosure of sexual harassment complaints.

Here are some examples of the changes made by state legislatures:

TRAINING

Michigan: New policies require lawmakers in both chambers to participate in annual training. House members previously were required to take anti-harassment training only once after they first were elected, though they can serve up to six years. Senators, who can serve up to eight years, previously were required to receive training once for each four-year term.

Missouri: The Senate previously had required lawmakers and staff to undergo sexual harassment training only once upon starting work, even if senators remained in office for the maximum eight years and staff worked for decades. A new policy requires senators and staff to take a computerized training program within 30 days of starting work and again every other year. That still falls short of a 2015 House policy, which requires annual in-person training for representatives and staff.

EXTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS

California: Outside experts will be tasked with substantiating claims under a new legislative sexual misconduct policy that is expected to take effect in early 2019. The Legislative Counsel’s Office will house a new investigative unit to handle complaints. Five outside experts — three appointed by the chief justice and one each by the Senate and Assembly — will review the findings to determine whether the actions violated legislative policies and recommend discipline. Lawmakers still will have the final say on punishments.

New Mexico: A new sexual harassment policy enacted just before the start of the 2018 legislative session requires the involvement of an outside counsel when accusations are made against lawmakers. The policy was put to the test when a lobbyist in May accused Democratic Rep. Carl Trujillo of inappropriate advances to her in 2013 and 2014. A special counsel determined in July that there was credible evidence for the claims. The next step will include an open hearing on the matter before a panel of legislators.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Louisiana: The state’s first government-wide law on sexual harassment policies will take effect Jan. 1. It will require agencies to compile annual reports documenting the number of employees who have completed the training requirements, the number of sexual harassment complaints received over the last year and details about spending associated with settlements and litigation.

Washington: Under a new Senate policy, records related to an investigation of sexual harassment will be released publicly once an investigation and appeal is completed — if the case is deemed to be “in the public interest,” such as involving a senator. The policy maintains the confidentiality of those who lodged the complaint.

PUBLIC FUNDS

Illinois: A new law that took effect Aug. 10 prohibits public money from being paid in exchange for a person’s silence or inaction related to allegations of sexual harassment against state lawmakers.

Kansas: The new state budget prohibits the use of state dollars to settle sexual harassment claims against elected officials or state employees and bars agencies from using their funds to pursue non-disclosure agreements in settling claims. Because the ban is included in a budget bill, not a general law, it remains in effect only through June 2019.

SECRECY

New York: A new uniform policy addressing harassment at all levels of government bars secret settlements and requires government officials found liable for harassment to pay their own costs in legal actions. The state had a history of using confidential settlements, including a secret $103,000 payment to settle harassment complaints by staffers against former Assemblyman Vito Lopez in 2012.