Last Thursday, Congress passed a bill that would make lawmakers financially responsible for sexual harassment and retaliation claims against them. The bill updates the Congressional Accountability Act, which originally passed in 1995, with this change and a handful of others. Even if the lawmaker leaves the job, the legislator must take financial responsibility for any settlement that stems from sexual harassment or retaliation claims. The bill mandates that public reports of the settlements must be made available and that the lawmakers involved must be identified. The waiting period required for victims who request an administrative hearing or to file a claim would be eliminated. Victims will no longer need to undergo mandatory counseling or mediation either. Currently, the updated bill is awaiting President Trump’s signature.
Lawmakers in the political arena must be held accountable for any actions of sexual misconduct or retaliation that they may commit against a colleague or subordinate. New or updated sexual harassment policies in a variety of industries nationwide have resulted from the overwhelming number of incidences revealed by victims of abuse. From Hollywood to Washington, D.C., and everywhere in between, businesses and their employees have been witnessing changes in policies aimed to protect victims who once felt fear at speaking out against the abuse they faced.
If you experienced sexual harassment while at your workplace, contact our Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. at 215-569-1999 or contact us online. We will listen to your story with compassion and ensure that we will build a strong case that provides a beneficial outcome. We serve clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York from our offices in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey.
