2025 -- H 6166 | |
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LC002649 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- CODE OF ETHICS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, and Ajello | |
Date Introduced: April 02, 2025 | |
Referred To: House State Government & Elections | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 36-14 of the General Laws entitled "Code of Ethics" is hereby |
2 | amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 36-14-22. Prohibiting sexual harassment. |
4 | (a) Sexual harassment is prohibited. For purposes of this section, "sexual harassment" |
5 | means any sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical |
6 | contact of a sexual nature, that a reasonable person would find inappropriate. |
7 | (b) This section applies to all of the following individuals, while they are actively engaged |
8 | in activities that involve legislative business: |
9 | (1) Senators and representatives; |
10 | (2) Regular, full-time, part-time, temporary or contractual employees of the general |
11 | assembly; |
12 | (3) Volunteers, interns, and pages; and |
13 | (4) Lobbyists. |
14 | (c) Complaints under this section, shall be made to the Rhode Island ethics commission |
15 | established pursuant to the provisions of § 36-14-8, and will be investigated, in accordance with |
16 | the provisions of § 36-14-12. To the extent practicable, the investigation shall respect the privacy |
17 | of all individuals involved. |
18 | (d) If the investigation supports a finding of a violation of the provisions of this section, |
19 | the ethics commission shall order prompt and effective remedial action including, but not limited |
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1 | to, a warning, reprimand, withholding of a promotion or pay increase, reassignment, temporary |
2 | suspension without pay, termination or other appropriate punishment the commission deems |
3 | appropriate. |
4 | (e) Each individual covered by this section shall complete an annual education and training |
5 | program on sexual harassment, consistent with the aims and purposes of this section. Program |
6 | completion records shall be maintained by the Rhode Island ethics commission and be made |
7 | available to the public. Failure to comply, shall result in disciplinary action including, but not |
8 | limited to, any penalty available under subsection (d) of this section. |
9 | (f) On or before December 1, 2026, the Rhode Island ethics commission shall issue rules |
10 | effectuating this section. |
11 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- CODE OF ETHICS | |
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1 | This act would create a new law to address the issue of "sexual harassment" involving those |
2 | individuals that are actively involved in legislative business. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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