Mississippi House Bill HB385

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/22
• Refer: 1/5/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Sexual harassment settlements; require counties, municipalities and state agencies to post on website.

Impact

The bill is expected to significantly impact state and local government operations by instituting requirements for public disclosure of significant settlements for sexual harassment. By making this information publicly accessible, it promotes accountability, transparency, and could potentially deter future incidents of sexual harassment within public entities. Moreover, it obliges governmental bodies to adhere to a more stringent standard of reporting and maintaining clarity on financial matters associated with settlements.

Summary

House Bill 385 aims to enhance transparency regarding the expenditure of public funds for settlements related to sexual harassment claims across various governmental entities in Mississippi. Specifically, the bill mandates that municipalities, counties, and state agencies disclose any public funds over $150,000 used for sexual harassment settlements on their official websites. This provision aims to hold public entities accountable by allowing citizens to access information on how taxpayer money is being used in these sensitive matters.

Contention

During discussions surrounding HB 385, there were varying opinions regarding the balance between transparency and the potential stigma it could create for victims of sexual harassment. Proponents argue that increased transparency will lead to better accountability and potentially foster an environment where harassment claims are taken more seriously. Conversely, some critics raised concerns about the unintended consequences of publicly disclosing settlement information, which could discourage victims from coming forward or complicate matters of confidentiality.