Connecticut House approves major sexual harassment reform bill

Lawmakers voted Saturday night for a sweeping overhaul of the state’s sexual assault and harassment laws as part of a two-bill package of reforms.

The state House of Representatives voted 121-23 for a bipartisan bill that had been passed unanimously by the Senate, and the bill now goes to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature. Five Democrats joined with 18 Republicans in voting against the measure, known as the “Time’s Up Act,” that changes both criminal and civil statutes.

Legislators were also simultaneously making changes that will be crafted into a second bill that they intend to pass Monday as part of the overall package.

House Republican leader Themis Klarides of Derby was among the negotiators with Sen. Mae Flexer, a Democrat who is the leading proponent of the sexual harassment changes in the Senate. The changes will include the amount of fines that businesses could receive if they fail to provide training and the role of state officials in making sure that the training is conducted.

Read more: https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-general-assembly-saturday-20190601-lbb5jdrhfresxncwptfmnh47hi-story.html