ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland House of Delegates has voted to strengthen the General Assembly's policies on sexual harassment to cover lobbyists.
The House voted 138-0 for the bill Monday. It now goes to the Senate.
Earlier this month, a state senator accused a lobbyist of inappropriately touching her in a bar near the statehouse. The lobbyist has denied the allegations. Also this month, three female state lawmakers publicly discussed sexual harassment they've experienced while working in the statehouse.
The measure would allow the assembly's Joint Ethics Committee to refer sexual harassment complaints to an independent investigator. It would require referral to an investigator at the request of a complainant.
It also prohibits a registered lobbyist from harassing other lobbyists, lawmakers, interns, pages and others working in the executive and legislative branches.
