A Missouri House committee has fallen short of implementing a comprehensive policy to address sexual harassment issues.
The Administration and Accounts Committee on Thursday approved a number of provisions advanced by House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, but failed to act on one significant recommendation.
No action was taken on a proposal to require complaints against House members to be investigated by outside legal counsel.
While encouraging panel members to revisit and adopt the provision for outside investigations, we commend them for implementing other recommendations.
The committee voted 6-1 to require annual sexual harassment training for House members and staff. Previously, such training was included in new member orientation, but not required.
The panel also expanded reporting requirements for House members and staff, despite dissent from a former intern who raised privacy and confidentiality concerns.
The speaker's recommendations were prompted by an incident involving his predecessor, who resigned after admitting to an exchange of sexually-charged text messages with a Capitol intern. Months later, a state senator resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is illegal.
In addition, as we wrote in this forum on Oct. 27, these episodes in the Capitol demean people, embarrass an institution and disrupt governing.
Responsible, respectful behavior deserves to be the norm among the people who serve our government.
When deviations from the norm occur, more stringent rules to prevent and punish inappropriate behavior are needed.
The committee's actions are a partial response. We urge them to finish the job.