INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana senators could soon be barred from having any sexual contact with legislative interns, even if the contact is consensual.
The Senate Legislative Ethics Committee unanimously approved a sexual harassment policy that would be added as an amendment to the Senate Code of Ethics.
The new amendment defines sexual harassment, bars any senator from sexual contact with a paid or unpaid intern, and describes the investigative process the committee would take if a harassment complaint is filed.
Sexual harassment was defined in the amendment as the following:
“… unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature by a Senator when:
(A) submission to or rejection of the conduct or silence concerning the conduct is:
(i) made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual's employment or an individual's performance as an independent contractor under a contract with the legislative branch of Indiana state government;
(ii) used as the basis for employment or other contract decisions with the legislative branch of Indiana state government; or
(iii) made either explicitly or implicitly a condition for or used as a basis for decisions concerning support of or opposition to legislative initiatives, access to a legislator, or other opportunities related to the functions of the legislative branch of Indiana state government”
Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, is the chair of the committee. The ethics committee is made up of three Republicans and three Democrats.
“Any contact or conduct going forward with an intern, whether it’s consensual or not, is prohibited if this draft is passed,” Brown
said.
If a complaint against a senator is found to have reasonable basis, Brown said, it will go under investigation by the ethics committee. After that, the committee will determine the consequences.
“There are a myriad of consequences that can happen,” Brown said. “From an impeachment, which would take a two-thirds vote, to censure, to just your caucus leader or the president of the Senate coming to talk to you about behavior that someone found offensive. ”
The vote passed, 6-0. The new amendment will still have to pass the full Senate.
The Indiana House of Representatives will pass their own version of a sexual harassment policy. Brown said it’s believed the House will pass similar language.
