Politicians have participated in sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence for far too long.

The New Day Collaborative is announcing its proposed platform of legislation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, as well as agency reforms that could be enacted today. Some of these policy initiatives have previously been introduced but unfortunately have failed to be enacted into law.

• A Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Settlements: We have learned through investigative journalism efforts that Pennsylvania’s state legislators and other powerful elected officials have enjoyed a taxpayer-funded slush fund to settle serious allegations of discrimination, harassment, assault, and retaliation without a change of behavior or accountability to voters.
• A Ban on NDAs that Shield Perpetrators of Abuse from Accountability: While privacy to the survivor is paramount to one’s healing over time, those who abuse their power should not enjoy these rights. When someone is investigated and found to have abused their power in this way while in office, this must be disclosed to the public (in a way that protects the anonymity of a survivor).
• An Independent Review Board for Complaints of Abuse: Pennsylvania’s house and senate chambers have stalled reform efforts because both parties fear the skeletons in their closets. An independent review board that upholds state and federal labor and anti-discrimination laws is necessary.
• SLAPP Suit Reform: Celebrities, wealthy bosses, and yes, even politicians, have utilized the court system in an abusive fashion over and over again to silence those brave enough to share the truth in public about their experiences. These lawsuits attack the privacy of survivors, waste precious indigent legal aid resources, risk financial ruin of survivors and allies, and send a message to people everywhere that if you stand up for yourself or others at all, you are risking everything. Pennsylvania has some of the worst laws when it comes to this, and we support efforts to toss frivolous lawsuits whose only aim is to reframe perpetrators of their abuse of power as victims.
• Availability of EEOC/PA HRC Paperwork in All Legislative Offices: Every year, thousands of Pennsylvanians file paperwork documenting violations of their civil rights in their workplace and other environments, but so many more assume that “this is just the way the world is” and that they must endure their abuse in silence. As we have learned of numerous allegations of a number of state legislators violating people’s civil rights, it’s now time for their colleagues to center this work. Such forms should be readily available in every district office, and constituent service staff should be trained about the basics of these intake forms.
• Annual Reports Highlighting Prevalence of #MeToo Violations: The state legislature, as well as state agencies, must be a leading example of transparency and research efforts as we evaluate policy efforts to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse. Furthermore, we must take a special focus on the impact of this abuse on communities of color, on low-wage workers, on immigrants, and on the LGBTQIA community, as well as all the ways these communities intersect.