Gov. Wolf, Legislative Dems Announce Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Protections

Information from Gov. Tom Wolf

On April 5, Governor Tom Wolf joined House and Senate Democrats to announce a package of reforms to strengthen protections against sexual harassment and discrimination for employees, provide new legal options for victims and hold those who are responsible accountable for their actions.

These steps build on Governor Wolf's efforts to combat sexual harassment and assault, including the nation's first state-based 'It's On Us' campaign to combat sexual assault on campuses, which includes grants to higher education institutions and a bipartisan legislative package.

The steps include: The sexual harassment and discrimination protections: Ban mandatory non-disclosure agreement Protect more workers, Workplace training, and passage of "PA Fairness Act"* Legal System Reforms: Extend statute of limitations, Right to a Jury Trial, Punitive Damages, Payment of Attorney Fees. State Government Reforms include: Creation of Sexual Harassment Prevention Task Force, Invest in Investigations (Human Relations Commission), and Standards for Lobbyists

The *"PA Fairness Act" would prohibit discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Legislation proposed by Sens. Browne and Farnese and Rep. Frankel.

The Governor's original press release contains more details about the proposed steps, and can be read here.