CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2959Introduced by Assembly Members Nazarian and BakerFebruary 16, 2018 An act relating to the Legislature. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2959, as introduced, Nazarian. Legislature: independent ombudsperson: sexual harassment.Existing law creates the California State Auditors Office, which is independent of the executive branch and legislative control, to examine and report annually upon the financial statements prepared by the executive branch.The California Whistleblower Protection Act additionally authorizes the State Auditor to conduct an investigative audit upon receiving specific information that an employee or state agency has engaged in an improper governmental activity, as defined. The act does not apply to the Legislature or employees of the Legislature. The act requires the auditor to establish a means of submitting allegations of improper governmental activity, and generally requires the State Auditor to keep confidential every investigation, including all investigative files and work product.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation establishing an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment in the Legislature, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by legislative staff and lobbyists against Members of the Legislature or other legislative staff. The purpose of the independent ombudsperson is to provide confidentiality for claimants and witnesses, to prevent barriers to reporting harassment, and to facilitate transparency in reporting findings.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2959Introduced by Assembly Members Nazarian and BakerFebruary 16, 2018 An act relating to the Legislature. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2959, as introduced, Nazarian. Legislature: independent ombudsperson: sexual harassment.Existing law creates the California State Auditors Office, which is independent of the executive branch and legislative control, to examine and report annually upon the financial statements prepared by the executive branch.The California Whistleblower Protection Act additionally authorizes the State Auditor to conduct an investigative audit upon receiving specific information that an employee or state agency has engaged in an improper governmental activity, as defined. The act does not apply to the Legislature or employees of the Legislature. The act requires the auditor to establish a means of submitting allegations of improper governmental activity, and generally requires the State Auditor to keep confidential every investigation, including all investigative files and work product.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation establishing an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment in the Legislature, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill No. 2959
Introduced by Assembly Members Nazarian and BakerFebruary 16, 2018
Introduced by Assembly Members Nazarian and Baker
February 16, 2018
An act relating to the Legislature.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2959, as introduced, Nazarian. Legislature: independent ombudsperson: sexual harassment.
Existing law creates the California State Auditors Office, which is independent of the executive branch and legislative control, to examine and report annually upon the financial statements prepared by the executive branch.The California Whistleblower Protection Act additionally authorizes the State Auditor to conduct an investigative audit upon receiving specific information that an employee or state agency has engaged in an improper governmental activity, as defined. The act does not apply to the Legislature or employees of the Legislature. The act requires the auditor to establish a means of submitting allegations of improper governmental activity, and generally requires the State Auditor to keep confidential every investigation, including all investigative files and work product.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation establishing an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment in the Legislature, as specified.
Existing law creates the California State Auditors Office, which is independent of the executive branch and legislative control, to examine and report annually upon the financial statements prepared by the executive branch.
The California Whistleblower Protection Act additionally authorizes the State Auditor to conduct an investigative audit upon receiving specific information that an employee or state agency has engaged in an improper governmental activity, as defined. The act does not apply to the Legislature or employees of the Legislature. The act requires the auditor to establish a means of submitting allegations of improper governmental activity, and generally requires the State Auditor to keep confidential every investigation, including all investigative files and work product.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation establishing an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment in the Legislature, as specified.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by legislative staff and lobbyists against Members of the Legislature or other legislative staff. The purpose of the independent ombudsperson is to provide confidentiality for claimants and witnesses, to prevent barriers to reporting harassment, and to facilitate transparency in reporting findings.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by legislative staff and lobbyists against Members of the Legislature or other legislative staff. The purpose of the independent ombudsperson is to provide confidentiality for claimants and witnesses, to prevent barriers to reporting harassment, and to facilitate transparency in reporting findings.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by legislative staff and lobbyists against Members of the Legislature or other legislative staff. The purpose of the independent ombudsperson is to provide confidentiality for claimants and witnesses, to prevent barriers to reporting harassment, and to facilitate transparency in reporting findings.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish an independent ombudsperson, under the jurisdiction of the State Auditor, to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by legislative staff and lobbyists against Members of the Legislature or other legislative staff. The purpose of the independent ombudsperson is to provide confidentiality for claimants and witnesses, to prevent barriers to reporting harassment, and to facilitate transparency in reporting findings.
### SECTION 1.