Relates to the ethical standards of officers or employees of a state agency, members of the legislature and legislative employees with regard to engaging in acts of discrimination, sexual harassment or creating a hostile workplace.
Summary
S04197 would amend section 74 of the Public Officers Law to add a new ethical duty for covered public officers and employees. The bill requires those subject to the section to comply with article 15 of the Executive Law and with any related policies or procedures adopted by their legislative chamber, state agency, or state office. It also states that no covered person may commit harassment or discrimination while acting in an official capacity.
The bill further imposes an affirmative responsibility on supervisors: if a person in a supervisory role knows of discrimination or harassment, they must take action, including imposing consequences on the perpetrator in accordance with applicable law, rule, policy, or procedure. The measure takes effect 30 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would expand the ethical obligations of state officers, legislators, legislative employees, and other public employees covered by section 74 of the Public Officers Law by expressly incorporating anti-discrimination and anti-harassment duties into ethics law. It would also reinforce compliance with existing state civil rights and workplace conduct rules, particularly article 15 of the Executive Law, and could create a clearer basis for internal discipline or enforcement within state agencies and legislative offices. The bill does not create a new standalone civil rights scheme, but it would make these obligations part of the ethical standards governing public service.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is framed as a workplace conduct and ethics measure aimed at strengthening protections against discrimination, sexual harassment, and hostile work environments in state government. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the record here. The caption and text indicate a generally reform-oriented and accountability-focused purpose, with the likely intent of codifying expectations already associated with public employment and legislative conduct.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the scope of the new ethical duty and how it would be enforced in practice. Questions could arise over what constitutes sufficient supervisory action when harassment or discrimination is known, how the bill interacts with existing agency or chamber procedures, and whether the language could lead to overlapping disciplinary or ethics processes. Another possible issue is the breadth of the bill’s coverage, since it applies to public officers and employees subject to section 74 and ties ethics obligations to broader anti-discrimination law and workplace policies.
Same As
Expands the ethical duties of public officers and employees to include compliance with the state human rights law and any policies or procedures implemented by their employer related thereto.
Restricts the use of prediction markets and/or mobile sports wagering platforms by officers or employees of a state agency, members of the legislature or legislative employees when using information acquired by such public officer in the course of their official duties.
Requires employers to annually report to the division of human rights the number of settlements with employees and other individuals performing services in the workplace regarding claims of discrimination on the basis of sex, including verbal and physical sexual harassment; requires the division of human rights to provide an annual report to the governor and the legislature; makes conforming technical changes.
Requires employers to annually report to the division of human rights the number of settlements with employees and other individuals performing services in the workplace regarding claims of discrimination on the basis of sex, including verbal and physical sexual harassment; requires the division of human rights to provide an annual report to the governor and the legislature; makes conforming technical changes.
Restricts the use of prediction markets and/or mobile sports wagering platforms by officers or employees of a state agency, members of the legislature or legislative employees when using information acquired by such public officer in the course of their official duties.
Bars nondisclosure agreements to settle sexual assault and harassment claims against certain State officers and employees and members of Legislature; bars use of campaign funds to settle claims.
AN ACT Relating to ensuring compliance with and enforcement of certain workplace standards and requirements applicable to employers of isolated employees;
Relates to requiring employers to obtain an acknowledgement of receipt from employees of their sexual harassment prevention policy and sexual harassment prevention training program in writing in English and in employees' primary languages; requires employers to obtain acknowledgements from employees and keep such acknowledgements for six years.
Relates to requiring employers to obtain an acknowledgement of receipt from employees of their sexual harassment prevention policy and sexual harassment prevention training program in writing in English and in employees' primary languages; requires employers to obtain acknowledgements from employees and keep such acknowledgements for six years.
Public employees and officers: ethics; former members of the legislature; prohibit from engaging in certain lobbying activities for a period of time. Amends sec. 6a of 1978 PA 472 (MCL 4.416a).