SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a legislative hearing on the California Legislature’s harassment policies (all times local):
5 p.m.
Members of a panel tasked with revamping the California Legislature’s sexual misconduct policies say a cultural change won’t come quickly.
The joint panel of Assembly and Senate lawmakers met Wednesday for the first time to hear from experts.
Democratic Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, the chairwoman, says the panel owes it to the public to take a “deep dive” on the issues.
Republican Sen. John Moorlach says misconduct allegations against multiple current and former lawmakers are a “black eye” for the institution.
The committee’s meeting comes amid an investigation into misconduct claims against Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza. He was interviewed by outside lawyers Tuesday and is set to return from a leave of absence next week.
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2 p.m.
Assembly and Senate lawmakers are joining to address allegations of rampant sexual misconduct at the California Capitol for the first time as a unified front.
A joint legislative panel will meet Wednesday to discuss reforming the Legislature’s policies for handling sexual harassment allegations. Until now, the two chambers have worked separately. The panel will hear from national and state experts and take public comment.
The committee’s meeting comes as the Legislature continues to grapple with allegations of harassment that prompted two lawmakers to resign and another to take a paid leave of absence.
Democratic legislative leaders have promised to release details about lawmakers and high-level staffers who have been disciplined for sexual harassment. They have not set a date for releasing the information.
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