Senate creates committee to review sexual harassment policies

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133

Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 18, 2018

Senate creates committee to review sexual harassment policies

Senator Joan Lovely to chair committee

(Boston) – Today, the Massachusetts Senate adopted an order filed by State Senator Joan Lovely to create a special senate committee to review the sexual harassment policies and procedures of the senate.

The committee will consist of 9 members of the senate, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader. All other members will be appointed by the Senate President. The Senate President will also serve as an ex-officio member of the committee and will vote only if a vote of the other members is tied. Senator Lovely has been asked to chair the committee.

“I look forward to leading the important work of the committee in the months ahead,” stated Senator Lovely. “The Senate has a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment. It is imperative that we ensure Senate policies and procedures encourage victims to come forward and we adhere to that zero tolerance policy.”

“The Senate has a responsibility to its members, its employees, and to all those who do business here, to ensure that all are given the fullest protections from workplace sexual harassment,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “I have full confidence that Senator Lovely and this committee will make certain that the Senate’s sexual harassment policies are modern, comprehensive, and thorough.”

The general purpose of the committee is to review, assess and evaluate the Senate’s existing sexual harassment policies and procedures to ensure that any victim of sexual harassment while working or conducting business with the Senate feels comfortable coming forward and reporting. The Senate also seeks to ensure that there are appropriate procedures in place to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and take action when necessary.

The committee will file a final report of its findings and recommendations with the clerk of the senate no later than May 15, 2018 and the report will be publicly available on the legislature’s website.

###