Subcommittee’s work on revising House sexual harassment policy begins

Sexual harassment has already been a major talking point at the Legislature this year, and a new group is working to make sure the House is a safe and respectful place for its members and anyone else who may work or visit.

The House Subcommittee on Workplace Safety and Respect was created earlier this month and met for the first time Monday. It will focus on making recommendations to strengthen the House’s 12-page discrimination and harassment policy, said House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers).

That policy was last revised in 2008.

“I want people to come forward, so I’m open to any and all changes in the policy, and I’m hopeful that that’s what’s going to come out of this,” said House Human Resources Director Kelly Knight.

Jonathan Griffin, a program principal with the National Conference of State Legislatures, offered a list of recommendations for what legislative sexual harassment policies and training should entail. It says rules and training should include information on situations that are unique to that legislature because each one is different, Griffin explained.

Lawmakers’ questions emphasized challenges with the current policy and possible changes that could be made. Among them: having the ability for people to report incidents anonymously, annual sexual harassment training (currently it’s every five years), ensuring due process and mandatory reporting.

What’s next?

Peppin said the subcommittee will plan to meet again next Monday. The agenda could include discussion of a proposal from Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) and Rep. Marion O'Neill (R-Maple Lake) to change House Rules to address harassment allegations.

Throughout the session, the subcommittee plans to hear from experts, House members and the public about the policy. It is expected to eventually pass its recommendations to the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee.

Knight said previous revisions to the policy were approved by the committee and went into effect immediately, without being passed by the House.

Harassment a big issue at the Capitol

Jonathan Griffin updates members of the House Subcommittee on Workplace Safety and Respect Feb. 26. Photo by Paul Battaglia

Griffin described sexual harassment as a “massive issue” for state legislatures across the country, noting there’s been an “unprecedented” amount of proposed legislation on the topic this year.

That’s the case in Minnesota, too.

Sexual harassment has been a hot topic at the Capitol following allegations against former Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center) and former Sen. Dan Schoen (DFL-St. Paul Park), who both resigned last year.

House members spent a full day taking sexual harassment training last week.

Gov. Mark Dayton has also stressed the need to strengthen sexual harassment policies in the executive branch and said he would propose legislation to establish an office to handle harassment and discrimination complaints.