An Act promoting equality and respect in the legislature

SD 2130 creates a new independent Commission on Workplace Harassment and Sexual Assault in the Legislature to address misconduct within legislative workplaces. The bill directly affects all state house personnel - including legislators, staff, interns, and executive branch employees working in the state house - by establishing formal procedures for reporting harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault. Key mechanisms include defining terms like "workplace harassment," requiring the commission to investigate complaints, and prohibiting retaliatory actions against those who report incidents. The commission, composed of 13 appointed members representing diverse expertise and legislative leadership, will operate independently with authority to investigate and report without executive branch oversight. This bill focuses on internal legislative workplace policies rather than broader public laws.