The Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization for Women is expressing disappointment that bills meant to address sexual harassment did not pass this session. The legislation came after one lawmaker spoke publicly this fall about experiencing harassment at the General Assembly.
Those public allegations prompted House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello to create a special commission to review the state’s sexual harassment policies.
The result was a handful of bills, including one to extend protections against harassment to domestic workers, such as nannies, and volunteers, including interns. Another bill mandated sexual harassment training.
Hillary Friedman heads of the Rhode Island chapter of National Organization for Women. She says she’s disappointed the bills died in committee.
“Well the concern is that the commission was just lip service to complaints about sexual harassment , of which women are the main target,” Freidman said. “And there isn’t anything concrete being done to combat this problem.”
In a statement before the end of the session, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said the bills were introduced late, but lawmakers would do their best to consider them.
