Signed by Governor Chris Sununu

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes an administrative office that includes an independent human resources professional to investigate sexual harassment complaints in the state legislature, effective 60 days after passage.

Highlights:

• Establishes a General Court Administrative Office in the state house under a director of the administrative office (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the director to employ and contract additional professional, technical, clerical, or other employees necessary to perform the functions and duties of the office (Sec. 1).

• Requires the director to designate a person as the independent human resources professional, and ensure that the person designated has had or will receive training or certification in sexual harassment investigations (Sec. 1).

• Requires the designated person to carry out obligations as set forth in the general court’s sexual harassment policy, including the receipt, investigation, and processing of verbal or written complaints from legislative staff, the public, or other members of the general court, concerning current members of the general court or members whose service stopped within 2 years prior to the complaint (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that neither the Office of the Senate President nor the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives will have any oversight or responsibility for any complaints involving sexual harassment (Sec. 1).

• Requires sexual harassment complaints filed with the administrative office to be confidential and not subject to disclosure to any third party, including the attorney general’s office (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities before the beginning of each biennium to review sexual harassment policies of other jurisdictions and legislatures and adopt a sexual harassment policy consistent with best practices, including procedures for the independent human resources professional (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities before the beginning of each biennium to determine whether to propose to the Senate and House of Representatives that each body require all legislators, legislative officers, and legislative staff to attend in-person education and training regarding sexual and other unlawful discrimination and harassment (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text