A New York state senator from the Hudson Valley is sponsoring legislation to combat sexual harassment in state government. The bill also would end the use of tax dollars for secret settlements.
Republican Senator Sue Serino says her bill would create an independent commission on public transparency and sexual harassment, charged with establishing uniform definitions of sexual harassment and associated policies across state government. It also would receive and investigate complaints. Serino says commission members would be appointed by the legislature, governor and chief judge, but would be required to have relevant experience in handling these kinds of cases. Governor Andrew Cuomo, in his State of the State, proposed a uniform code of sexual harassment for all branches of state and local government. He also proposes that no taxpayer funds be used to pay for any public official’s sexual harassment or misconduct.
