(WHTM) – On This Week in Pennsylvania, Representative Abby Major joins Dennis Owens to discuss the package of sexual harassment bills recently introduced at the capitol.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

The bills come after State Rep. Mike Zabel resigned amid a sexual harassment allegation in March and Mike Vereb resigned as Governor Josh Shapiro’s Secretary of Legislative Affairs with a $295,000 settlement paid to a woman he allegedly sexually harassed.

The five lawmakers say the legislative package aims to “make significant reforms to protect taxpayers and victims.”

• Resolution to amend the House Ethical Conduct Rules to add “non-verbal acts” to the definition of sexual harassment, add a prohibition on members accused of sexual harassment from engaging in House-related services or duties, allow a person to appeal their complaint, and increase transparency to the number of complaints filed before the Ethics Committee – introduced by Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland)

• Amend the Right-to-Know Law to redact the name of a sexual harassment or assault victim from a settlement agreement before it’s publicly released – introduced by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York)

• Amend the PennWATCH Act to include information on each settlement paid to an individual or employee – introduced by Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery)

• Create a framework allowing the Commonwealth to seek reimbursement from individuals whose actions result in settlements of judgments paid by the Commonwealth – introduced by Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa (R-Fayette)

• Enshrine federal non-disclosure agreement law into state law, prohibiting the enforcement of pre-employment non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement agreements, as well as voiding agreements in place prior to a dispute arising – introduced by Rep. Ann Flood (R-Northampton)

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