Policies against workplace harassment; legislative branch. Requires each legislative branch agency to adopt and implement the Commonwealth Workplace Harassment Policy established by the Department of Human Resource Management. The bill provides that the Policy applies to legislative branch employees, including General Assembly members and members-elect, when undertaking meetings with other state employees, contract employees, applicants for employment, customers, vendors, members of the media, members of the public, volunteers, or lobbyists or when conducting or performing election activities in the scope of official duties.Under the bill, a victim of alleged workplace harassment will be able to file a complaint against a legislative branch employee, other than a member of the General Assembly, in accordance with the procedures of the Policy or with the Division of Human Rights in the Office of the Attorney General. The Division of Human Rights is authorized to investigate the complaint and use any other powers with regard to the complaint granted to it under law. The bill requires each house of the General Assembly to adopt rules governing procedures and disciplinary sanctions for General Assembly members and members-elect violating policies against workplace harassment.The 2018 Session of the General Assembly enacted legislation requiring full-time legislative branch employees to complete a sexual harassment training course once every two calendar years beginning January 1, 2020. In addition to other differences, this bill broadens the scope of training for legislative branch employees and provides for punitive damages if a party complaining of workplace harassment demonstrates that the defendant engaged in a discriminatory practice with malice or reckless indifference. The bill contains a reenactment clause and has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2022.
Sponsored bills
Secretary of Health and Human Resources; task force; shortage of certified sexual assault nurse examiners in the Commonwealth; report. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to establish a task force to study the shortage of certified sexual assault nurse examiners in the Commonwealth. The task force shall report its findings and conclusions, together with specific recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and budgetary actions, to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2020.
Commending the Division of Capitol Police.
Commending the Division of Capitol Police.
Commending United Methodist Family Services.
Commending Gerald R. Rubin.
Commemorating the life and legacy of LeslieDevan Smith, Jr.
Celebrating the life of Samuel Hughes Melton,M.D.
Commending Dorothy A. Jaeckle.
Commending the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA.