Rep. Giarrusso Named to Special Legislative Commission on Workplace Sexual Harassment

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STATEHOUSE -- Senior Deputy Minority Leader Anthony Giarrusso (R District 30 – East Greenwich, West Greenwich) has been named to a Special Legislative Commission charged with studying unlawful sexual harassment in the workplace.

​The eleven member Commission was created by a recent house resolution (2018-H 7678) in response to outcry over recent sexual harassment allegations across the country, including within the Rhode Island General Assembly. The legislators will examine state and federal protections in place to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace as well as the best practices for improving the current laws here in Rhode Island.  

“This type of behavior is completely inappropriate in the workplace and I am proud to serve on a commission that seeks to end this disgusting behavior which came to light across our nation, including within our own Statehouse. It is time to stop simply explaining that sexual harassment is wrong and instead look at the best ways to prevent it from happening in the first place. I look forward to discussing the issue with my fellow Commission members to find solutions which foster a safe and welcoming work environment for everyone,” stated Rep. Giarrusso.  

Rep. Giarrusso is joined on the commission by his fellow legislators Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett); Rep. Carol Hagen McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett); Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick); and Rep. Evan Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick). The Commission will also include Victoria Goetz of the Attorney General’s Office; executive director of the Rhode Island Commission on Human Rights, Michael Évora Esq.; associate director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity Cheryl Burrell; Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association president, Col. James Mendonca; Rhode Island College associate professor Wendy Becker; and Amica Insurance vice president of human resources, Jill Andy.

The Commission will meet for the first time on Tuesday April 3, 2018 at 1pm in room 101 of the Rhode Island State House to select a chair and vice chair. The Commission will not hear any public testimony during the first meeting but will instead listen to presentations from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Opportunity as well as the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. The members will report their recommendations to the House of Representatives by May 17, 2018.

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Contact Information
Ian O'Connor, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-2259