By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star
In the wake of a complaint by a female lawmaker, a legislative leader released a detailed policy Monday designed to curb sexual harassment in the Arizona House of Representatives.
House Speaker J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, has now spelled out on paper behaviors that are off-limits, as well as the procedures that should be followed when a complaint is made.
Mesnard said he believes it has always been a violation of House policy, if not state law, for lawmakers and their staffers to make unwelcome sexual advances or offensive remarks. That fact is conveyed to new legislators and employees when they first take office or are hired, he said. But he said people tend to be at the Capitol for a decade or more. “A periodic reminder might become the norm for the future,” he said.
