January 24th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
Top state legislators on Wednesday announced who will sit on a commission on workplace harassment in the legislature. WBAL reports the panel is part of new policies voted on prior to the start of the session. It will review state policies, solicit outside expert input, hear public testimony and make recommendations to lawmakers.
The State House will also keep track of complaints and dispositions, something not done since a sexual harassment policy was put in place in 1993.
“The Maryland General Assembly has some of the nation’s best policies on workplace harassment, but we need to do everything we can on this issue,” Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller. “The members of this panel have held distinguished leadership roles in government and the private sector, understand the challenges, and are well-positioned to evaluate the State’s policies.”
In a Washington Post op-ed, Montgomery County Del. Ariana Kelly wrote that she was groped by a married senior colleague in her first legislative session, in full view of two male colleagues. She said she didn't report the incident because it would have led to a public standoff and hurt her career. She instead spoke directly to the unnamed colleague and told him not to grope her again. She suspects her career still suffered, but said it's impossible to know how much.
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