HB 423 – AS INTRODUCED
2011 SESSION
10/01
HOUSE BILL 423
AN ACT relative to including workplace harassment in the legislative ethics law.
SPONSORS: Rep. Norelli, Rock 16; Rep. Jasper, Hills 27
This bill allows the legislative ethics committee to receive complaints, conduct investigations, and deliberate on allegations of workplace harassment against legislative members and employees.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11-0796
10/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven
AN ACT relative to including workplace harassment in the legislative ethics law.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Purpose. The general court recognizes that it is the responsibility of each legislator and legislative employee to create and maintain a work environment at the general court in which all legislators and employees are free from workplace harassment and are treated respectfully. Workplace harassment of any legislator or employee discredits the integrity of the general court and is unethical conduct. Harassing behavior in the workplace should not be condoned or tolerated. The responsibility to create and maintain a respectful workplace applies to activities that involve legislative business or legislative events that occur away from the state house buildings and grounds.
2 New Paragraph; Legislative Ethics; Definition Added. Amend RSA 14-B:1 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
IV. “Workplace harassment” means treatment or behavior that to a reasonable person creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive work environment.
3 Legislative Ethics Committee; Complaints; Workplace Harassment. Amend RSA 14-B:3, I(d) to read as follows:
(d) Receive sworn complaints, and investigate allegations of improper conduct, including sexual harassment or workplace harassment against members or retaliation against employees who make good faith allegations of sexual harassment or workplace harassment, which may reflect upon the legislature, relating to the conduct of individuals in the performance of their duties as members, officers, or employees of the legislature, and make appropriate findings of fact and conclusions with respect to such conduct. Deliberations on such sworn complaints shall be conducted in nonpublic session and in accordance with procedures set forth in RSA 14-B:4 and established by the committee under RSA 14-B:5. The committee shall consider any sworn complaint and shall conduct its initial review of each complaint in a confidential manner, unless otherwise requested by the legislator, officer, or employee complained against.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.