Senate briefed on updated sexual harassment policies

Members of the Vermont Senate participated in sexual harassment training under new rules that leaders established after former Sen. Norm McAllister (R) was accused of criminal sexual assault.

They were also required for the first time to fill out a form disclosing income sources that pay them more than $10,000 per year; any businesses they own or have a controlling interest in; and any board, commission, and associations they are affiliated with.

The new sexual harassment rules clarify the role of the Senate’s internal Sexual Harassment Panel, currently chaired by Sen. Philip Baruth, D-Chittenden, to take confidential complaints from members of the senate, staff of the senate, and their interns.

The panel is not allowed to disclose the name of the person who made the complaint, the name of the person who is the subject of the complaint, or the fact that they are investigating a complaint, Baruth said.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2017/01/06/senate-briefed-updated-sexual-harassment-policies/