The State We're In: Sexual Harassment Laws

WAMU 88.5

Published October 29, 2018 at 10:18 AM CDT

MeToo has changed our culture. It is also changing our laws too.

Criminal cases and successful prosecutions can still be hard to come by. Some are forced to remain silent because of the risks they face going public, others might have signed non-disclosure agreements.

What laws have been passed at the state level to curb sexual harassment?

The New York Times notes that Delaware, Illinois and California are expanding sexual harassment training and education. They also report that Washington, Tennessee, Vermont and Maryland all banned nondisclosure or other confidentiality agreements as a condition of employment.

And lawmakers on the state level have also been accused of sexual harassment. The AP counted 30 lawmakers who were removed from office after claims of sexual misconduct.

States are under more pressure to curb sexual assault and harassment at work and within their own chambers.

Our series ‘The State We’re In’ concludes with the impact of MeToo where you live.

GUESTS

Emily Martin, Vice President for Education & Workplace Justice, National Women’s Law Center

Suzanne Hultin, Program director, employment, labor and retirement program, National Conference of State Legislatures

Elizabeth Tippett, Associate professor, University of Oregon School of Law; former employment lawyer; @TippettLiz

Hannah-Beth Jackson, State senator of California, a Democrat, representing District 19, incorporating Santa Barbara County and a portion of Ventura County; @SenHannahBeth

For more, visit https://the1a.org.