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Idaho Leaders Plan To Re-Examine Statehouse Sexual Harassment Policies

Otto Kitsinger
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AP Images
Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, Idaho, House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, and Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, speak to reporters about the upcoming 2018

Leaders on both sides of the aisle at the Idaho statehouse agree on this: The issue of sexual harassment needs to be dealt with head-on this session.

After the national #MeToo movement took off in 2017, forcing the ouster of both Democrats and Republicans in Washington, questions around sexual misconduct in politics has trickled down to the states.

Speaker Scott Bedke did not mince words:

“That type of behavior is not going to be tolerated in the Statehouse," says Bedke (R-Oakley). "And we want our policy manuals to reflect that.”

House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding (D-Boise) says the current policy could be improved by giving staff, interns and pages clear ways to report misconduct in the building.

“It isn’t very clear,  and in fact in the rules it doesn’t really give a path for them and a place for them to actually place a complaint.”

Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill (R-Rexburg) told reporters he wants to give people options of how to report these incidents. He says there will be more information given during a workplace training meeting for lawmakers and legislative staff on Tuesday.

Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill

Copyright 2018 Boise State Public Radio

Frankie Barnhill was the Senior Producer of Idaho Matters, Boise State Public Radio's daily show and podcast.

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