In response to the investigation into Senate sexual harassment policies, Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen issued the following statement:
“Our Caucus supports recommendations made by the independent investigator to improve current Senate policy so that all workers are safe and supported in the workplace, and that harassment policy is clearly understood and followed by all. Our Caucus is taking immediate steps to further support staff and members, in order to ensure a safe working environment for staff, senators, and visitors.
“Despite requesting the investigation, the Senate DFL Caucus has not received the full report or the recommendations from the independent investigator. The Secretary of the Senate has restricted the information that we have been able to view. While some aspects of the report must remain confidential as personnel matters, there is also a need for transparency for Senate staff and members to ensure that we have the information necessary to make structural changes.
“We urge the Secretary of the Senate to make these recommendations public as soon as possible, for them to be reviewed by a Senate workgroup, and for them to be subsequently adopted by our Senate Rules Committee. People who experience harassment must trust that we have a system in place that will work on their behalf to provide accountability and a safe work environment.
“Once the Secretary of the Senate convenes a workgroup, we would propose the re-appointment of Sen. Kari Dziedzic and the appointment of Sen. Lindsey Port.”
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