Legislators approve new anti-harassment policy By Matthew Reichbach NM Political Report
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aw makers voted to update the State Legislature’s sexual harassment policy, the first such change in a decade. The 15-0 Legislative Council vote came a day before the start of the 2018 legislative session. The council adopted the policy crafted by eight legislators who rewrote it at a time where many industries and organizations, including political institutions, are grappling with sexual harassment. The policy allows for an outside investigator to look into allegations of sexual harassment against legislators. It also calls for “outside counsel who is experienced in harassment matters” to determine in consultation with legislative leaders if a complaint merits an investigation. If leaders decide an investigation is necessary, a subcommittee of the chamber’s ethics committee will hire outside counsel. The counsel will give suggestions to the
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New policy allows for an outside investigator to look into allegations of sexual harassment against legislators. Photo Credit: Laura Paskus, NM Political Report subcommittee, which will determine if probable cause exists to send the allegations to the full ethics committee. Then, the ethics committee could vote to send the case to the full chamber, with recommendations on punishment. Reps. Debbie Armstrong and Gail Chasey, Democrats from Albuquerque, expressed concer n over the leng thy process and how many people will be told about the
complaint before an investigation occurs. “It just seems like a lot of people,” Armstrong said. “Everyone in the Legislature from a defensive point of view may want that, but from the point of view of the person reporting, it can have a chilling effect.” Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, said only a limited number of people in leadership would know in the
initial stages. Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, was a member of the group who helped write the new policy. He said the Legislature itself will make any final decisions. This is because legislators are the only ones who can levy punishment on other legislators. The policy also outlines policies for complaints against legislative staff and those not employed at the Legislature, such as lobbyists. For those offenders, punishments could include denial of access to legislative buildings or activities. Staff members could be fired. The group also changed the portion of the policy that initially referred to “false
reporting.” The new language says a complaint “that is found to be intentionally or recklessly dishonest or malicious” would be a violation of the policy. The final policy also took out a provision that would have required a victim to report harassment within a certain time period after the alleged
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ANTI-HARASSMENT | SEE PAGE 8
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On the Cover: Community members march down Joseph M. Montoya Boulevard to remember Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday Jan.15. Photo by Knifewing Segura The Gallup Sun, published Fridays, is not responsible or liable for any claims or offerings, nor responsible for availability of products advertised. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Gallup Sun distributes newspapers in McKinley, Cibola and Apache counties. Office: 102 S. Second St., Gallup, NM 87301 The Gallup Sun, pending USPS number 1, is mailed weekly. Application to mail at periodical rates is pending in Gallup NM. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM. Mailing Address: PO Box 1212 Gallup, NM 87305 www.gallupsun.com Phone: (505) 722-8994 Fax: (505) 212-0391 gallupsun@gmail.com Letter to the editor/guest column ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY. State full name and city/town. No pen names. ID required. All submissions subjected to editor’s approval. Guest columnists, email Sun for submission requirements.
Gallup Sun • Friday January 19, 2018
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