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6/6/2018
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Media Advisory: Sexual harassment bills to be heard tomorrow
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STATE HOUSE – The House Labor Committee has scheduled a hearing tomorrow on eight bills to address sexual harassment in the workplace introduced by members of the House commission studying sexual harassment laws.
The committee has scheduled the hearing tomorrow, Thursday, June 7, at the rise of the House session (around 5:30 p.m.) in Room 101 on the first floor of the State House.
The bills on the agenda are:
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2018-H 8264 — This bill sponsored by Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick), would enhance a reporting requirement for state agencies and departments for violations of the fair employment practices chapter and the equal opportunity and affirmative action chapter.
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2018-H 8275 — Submitted by Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick), this act would require the Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Department of Education to identify or develop a program of age-appropriate sexual abuse and sexual awareness education.
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2018-H 8276 — Sponsored by Representative Tanzi, this act would extend the timeframe within which to bring an action for an unlawful employment practice.
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2018-H 8277 — Introduced by Representative Tanzi, this bill would mandate sexual harassment training for employees and supervisors of employers of 50 or more employees. It would also recommend an annual climate survey for employers.
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2018-H 8278 — Sponsored by Representative Tanzi, this bill would forbid employers from requiring employees, as a condition of obtaining or retaining employment, to execute a nondisclosure agreement or non-disparagement agreement.
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2018-H 8279 — Submitted by Representative Tanzi, this bill would expand and clarify the definition of “employees” for purposes of the fair employment practices chapter.
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2018-H 8280 — Sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett), this bill would exclude the period of investigation of a discrimination case by the Human Rights Commission from counting toward the statute of limitations.
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2018-H 8281 — Submitted by Representative Shanley, this bill creates a reporting requirement for state agencies and departments for violations of the fair employment practices chapter and the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative chapter. The act would also remove legislative branch exclusion from “agency” definition.
The Commission to Study Unlawful Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, led by Chairwoman Tanzi, worked swiftly over the past two months to study existing laws and identify areas for improvement. Drawing on the expert testimony taken by the commission, the bills each address situations that came up in the commission’s discussions.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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