Bill Summaries: S789 (2017-2018 Session)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: May 30 2018 - View summary

    Identical to H 1044, filed 5/30/18.

    Enacts GS 120-32.05, directing the Legislative Services Commission and the Legislative Ethics Committee to jointly develop, adopt, and implement "zero tolerance" policies regarding sexual harassment, abuse, misconduct, gender bias, and all other forms of discrimination in the workplace. Requires the policies to be incorporated by reference into each chamber's permanent rules and include protections for pages and unpaid volunteers providing services to the General Assembly. Details required components of the policies, including: (1) mandatory ethics training for all legislators, officers, and legislative employees of the General Assembly; (2) effective and clear sanctions for incidents of harassment, abuse, misconduct, gender bias, and all other forms of discrimination in the workplace; (3) a complaint filing process for reporting conduct and violations to human resource services in the General Assembly; and (4) independent third party services, contracted by the Legislative Service Commission, to provide confidential information and advice to individuals who file complaints as well as investigative support and advice to the designated employee receiving and investigating reports of misconduct. 

    Appropriates $250,000 from recurring funds for the 2018-19 fiscal year to the Legislative Services Commission to implement the act, with $50,000 for literature, documents, and training materials necessary for a mandatory annual ethics training program and $200,000 for contractual services provided by an independent third party.

    Effective July 1, 2018.