HR0687 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0687 LRB100 15517 MST 30560 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, There is currently a worldwide social and cultural campaign to raise awareness about sexual discrimination and harassment that has led both women and men to publicly report their experiences of widespread sexual discrimination and harassment; and

WHEREAS, The members of the General Assembly recognize it is critical to continue this conversation in a productive and meaningful manner and that legal remedies and protections for those victimized by sexual discrimination and harassment should be appropriately maximized; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That that the Task Force shall conduct a comprehensive review of the legal and social consequences of sexual discrimination and harassment, in both the public and private sectors, and make recommendations to the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall, at a minimum, review and produce recommendations concerning amendments to the legal definition of the terms "sexual discrimination" and "sexual harassment"; which behaviors should be legally actionable as sexual harassment; review and assess best practices to improve procedures for accepting sexual discrimination and harassment complaints, including methods to increase and improve reporting allegations of sexual harassment; the process and structure for reporting allegations to ethics officers, inspectors general, and others, and whether an independent third party should be assigned to handle complaints; necessary amendments to anti-retaliation and whistleblower protections for individuals making sexual discrimination or harassment complaints; the process for filing complaints with the Department of Human Rights; the process for filing civil complaints, including any applicable statute of limitations; legal remedies available to victims of sexual discrimination and harassment, including whether plaintiffs should be entitled to punitive damages; the need for a code of conduct and zero tolerance policies for units of government; the ability of complainants to seek independent counsel when reporting allegations; and the prevention of sexual discrimination and harassment in the public and private sector; and be it further

RESOLVED, That that the Task Force shall be comprised of members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and House members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, with each appointing no more than 20 members, and the Chair appointed by the Speaker, and any action of the Task Force shall be approved by a majority of those voting on the question; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall work in conjunction with any task force created by the Senate for a similar purpose, and that both entities shall aspire to produce legislation to address the concerns and issues presented to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall make recommendations to the General Assembly in the form of legislation, as well as a report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2018, provided that the Task Force is encouraged to produce interim reports.