For the first time, Indiana lawmakers will be subject to a sexual harassment policy

Tony Cook
IndyStar
Gov. Eric Holcomb signs into law a measure requiring sexual harassment training for state lawmakers.

Indiana lawmakers will have to establish a sexual harassment policy for themselves for the first time after Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law a new measure Thursday aimed at preventing unwelcome sexual advances at the Statehouse.

Holcomb and Indiana Supreme Court Justice Loretta Rush also announced new harassment training policies for the executive and judicial branches.

The overhaul comes amid a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against powerful men in Hollywood, sports, media and politics. Allegations against lawmakers in other states have forced some to resign, lose leadership posts or face disciplinary action. 

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"In light of the many recent, high-profile sexual workplace harassment cases, we decided in this office to take another hard look at what our policy was currently and to re-examine what enhancement can, and more importantly, should be done," Holcomb said during a bill signing ceremony in the governor's office. "There is absolutely no room for harassment in the workplace — period."

In Indiana, legislative staffers must follow a sexual harassment policy that forbids unwanted whistling, touching, pinching and requests for sexual favors, along with more overt types of unwanted sexual behavior.

But until now, lawmakers themselves have not been governed by any specific policy. Instead, legislative leaders have relied on broad codes of conduct in the House and Senate that call for legislators to behave with "high moral and ethical standards."

House Enrolled Act 1309 will require lawmakers to establish a sexual harassment policy for themselves by Nov. 20, including how allegations will be investigated. It also requires all 150 lawmakers to complete one hour of sexual harassment training each year.

The new policies will be based on recommendations from a legislative panel that includes the top Democrat and Republican from each chamber, plus four other lawmakers appointed by each leader. The leaders, who are all men, said they intended to appoint female lawmakers to the four additional positions on the panel to ensure that women have a voice in crafting the policy.

Executive branch employees are already required to complete computer-based sexual harassment training, but now state agency heads will be required to complete yearly workshops on sexual harassment. Managers will also receive additional training as part of a new program the State Personnel Department plans to launch this summer, Holcomb said.

Rush said she is also introducing several changes in the judicial branch, including a revamped policy and an online complaint form to make it easier for court employees to report problems. 

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.