Committee adopts revised workplace harassment policy; adds informal resolution option and extends timelines

The Legislative Procedure Arrangements Committee voted to adopt revisions to the workplace harassment policy and related intake forms after a presentation by Legislative Counsel Liz Fordall.

"For the record, Liz Fordall, legislative counsel," Fordall said while summarizing the proposed changes to policy LC No. 27.9155.01 and accompanying forms. Key amendments include clarifying the definition of workplace harassment, extending the intake checklist deadline from 24 to 48 hours, creating an option for leaders to pursue informal resolution (with a documented summary retained by Legislative Council) before convening a review panel, lengthening panel appointment and first-meeting timelines from 72 hours to seven days, and setting a 25‑day deadline for investigation work from the panel’s first meeting with a possible extension up to 75 days from complaint receipt.

Fordall said the policy now explicitly directs leaders to coordinate with Legislative Council on intake and records: contact-person notes for potential complainants who do not file a formal complaint should be forwarded to Legislative Council and will be maintained as client communications subject to statutory exemptions. She cited the statute governing internal-investigation records and disclosure timelines, which the policy aligns with to provide clarity on when records become subject to open-records law.

Committee members praised the added flexibility for informal resolution and the clearer role for Legislative Council. Senator Hogan, who has led the effort to update the policy, said the changes balance the rights of complainants and respondents and make it easier to pursue diversionary resolutions when appropriate.

Senator Hogan moved to adopt the revisions and Representative Novak seconded. During roll call multiple members verbally recorded "Aye" or "Yes" (including Senator Klein, Senator Hogan, Senator Hogue, Senator Roars, Representatives Ista, Dobrevitch, Haggard, LaFore, Novak, Pyle and Weiss). The chair announced the motion carries.

The committee also approved related form updates to reflect the extended deadlines and the new informal-resolution pathway. The chair said the body will reconvene at 1:00 p.m. to hold an executive session on legislator security.