Bill Passed To Mandate Sexual Harassment Training For Lawmakers

Indiana state lawmakers will have to take sexual harassment training under legislation approved by the Senate Tuesday.

The measure mandates an hour of harassment training each year. Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) notes such training is already required for legislative staff.

“And so it’s time that we take the next step and have one for the members themselves,” Lanane says.

READ MORE: House Votes To Require Sexual Harassment Training For Lawmakers

The four legislative caucus leaders – all of whom are men – will develop the sexual harassment program. Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) says the bill adds four other lawmakers to the committee that works on the issue.

“And the intention of each of the leaders is to appoint one of the female legislators from each caucus to serve on there. I think that’s an important balancing act,” Long says.

The unanimously-approved bill also requires lawmakers to develop a procedure for investigating sexual harassment claims made against legislators.