HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 107

SUPPORTING THE ADOPTION OF RULES BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE REGARDING IMPLICIT BIAS AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING.

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives has adopted House Rule 16A, a Harassment Policy and Training Rule for its members; and

WHEREAS, House of Representative Rule 16A, under Statement of Policy, states, in part, that members of the House are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is free of harassment and to discourage and report all harassment; and

WHEREAS, House of Representative Rule 16A, under Statement of Policy states, in part, that the House of Representatives is committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace that is free of sexual harassment and harassment based on any protected characteristic; and

WHEREAS, House of Representative Rule 16A includes, under the definition of “protected characteristics”, race, national origin, and religion; and

WHEREAS, Rule 16A requires mandatory training on sexual harassment and workplace harassment for new member orientation with continued training required for all members at least once per this General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Senate has adopted Rule 18, a Harassment Policy and Training for its members; and

WHEREAS, Senate Rule 18, under Statement of Policy, states, in part, that members of the Senate are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is free of harassment and to discourage and report all harassment; and

WHEREAS, Senate Rule 18, under Statement of Policy states, in part, that the Senate is committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace that is free of sexual harassment and harassment based on any protected characteristics; and

WHEREAS, Senate Rule 18 includes, under the definition of “protected characteristics”, race, natural origin and religion; and

WHEREAS, Senate Rule 18 requires mandatory training on sexual harassment and workplace harassment for new member orientation with continued training required for all members at least once per this General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives and the Senate are proud that their respective members, employees and staff are inclusive and consist of diverse racial, religious and cultural backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, unconsciously held biases, also known as implicit biases, lead to an erosion of trust and poor interpersonal interactions and biased behaviors; and

WHEREAS, cultural and racial implicit bias and stereotyping is degrading, hurtful, and unacceptable in our society; and

WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives and Senate, as elected officials, should be mindful and aware of implicit cultural and racial bias in all their communications whether oral, written or electronic; and

WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives and Senate should be mindful and sensitive to implicit cultural and racial bias when interacting with the public as well as each other and with staff.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 151 ^st General Assembly, the Senate concurring therein, that the House of Representatives and the Senate will consider and recommend amending their respective Rules to include evidence based implicit bias and cultural competency training for all members once the next duly organized 152 ^nd General Assembly assembles and convenes, and thereafter make such training a mandatory requirement for all new members with continued training required for all members at least once per each General Assembly.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution seeks to have both the House of Representatives and Senate consider amending their respective Rules , once the 152nd General Assembly assembles and convenes, for purposes of adding mandatory training, for all members, in evidence based implicit bias and cultural competency, similar to both Chambers’ current Rules in regard to sexual and workplace harassment.