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Washington Bill Would Ban Non-Disclosure Of Sexual Harassment, Assault

A bill introduced by Washington Sen. Karen Keiser would place limits on non-disclosure agreements.
Washington Legislature
A bill introduced by Washington Sen. Karen Keiser would place limits on non-disclosure agreements.

Washington state Sen. Karen Keiser said she wants to encourage disclosure of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace. To that end, the Democrat introduced legislation on December 4 that would place limits on non-disclosure agreements.

Specifically her proposal would make it illegal for employers to restrict what a victim of workplace sexual misconduct can say publicly.

“It is basically taking the very ubiquitous and commonplace nondisclosure agreement now and carving a waiver out for the reporting of sexual harassment or sexual assault incidents,” Keiser said.

Keiser’s bill would also prohibit employers from firing or otherwise retaliating against an employee who speaks out about these issues.

Non-disclosure agreements are often a condition of employment. Usually they’re aimed at protecting trade secrets and other proprietary information. But they can also include blanket provisions that prevent employees from saying anything that could hurt the company brand or stock price.

Copyright 2017 Northwest News Network

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy as well as the Washington State legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia." Prior to joining the Northwest News Network, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and Boise. Austin is a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle and Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. Austin’s reporting has been recognized with awards from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Austin Jenkins
Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."