NASHVILLE - Tennessee Democratic lawmakers today urged Gov. Bill Haslam to veto legislation that critics say could discourage people filing lawsuits against state and local government officials in their personal capacity in cases like sexual harassment.
Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, and other Democrats pointed out the bill would apply to state legislators as well and alluded to State Attorney General Herbert Slatery's ongoing investigation of sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin.
Durham is listed as a co-sponsor of the bill.
"This bill causes me and other women great concern because it is regressive," Favors said at a news conference.
Republican sponsors say the bill is intended to curb frivolous personal court claims against elected and appointed officials who allegedly acted outside their official duties.
It would provide plantiffs filing such legal actions a window to withdraw frivolous claims. Otherwise, they would be stuck with paying legal bills if their claims did not succeed. The bill is being pushed by Slatery.
Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Jeff Yarbro of Nashville said there are a number of cases where the bill, should it become law, would apply. Among them is if a citizen files a personal suit against a government worker alleging he or she acted in corrupt fashion.
