ATLANTA (AP) – As one of his first acts after being sworn in as Georgia governor, Republican Brian Kemp issued an executive order Monday strengthening and standardizing sexual harassment reporting processes across state agencies and implementing mandatory sexual harassment training for agency employees.
That same day, the state Senate changed its rules by placing a two-year limit on an accuser’s ability to bring misconduct claims against Senators and members of their staff. The new rules also allow for an internal investigative committee to recommend sanctions – including a fine – for bringing claims found to be “frivolous.”
The opposing messages from Georgia’s governor and its Senate come as state governments across the country try to grapple with how to appropriately respond to the #MeToo movement that has brought down powerful men accused of sexual harassment and assault across entertainment, media and politics.
Republican state Sen. Renee Unterman of Buford slammed the rule changes on the Senate floor Tuesday.
“We need these rules and regulations,” Unterman said. “We desperately need them to protect people, in particular women and women who sit in this body.”