By Ms. Reinstein of Revere, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3719) of Kathi-Anne Reinstein and Christine E. Canavan for legislation to establish an office of prevention of sexual harassment of members and former members of the armed forces.  Veterans and Federal Affairs

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Kathi-Anne Reinstein

Christine E. Canavan

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act to develop an office to prevent sexual harassment.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Chapter seven of the Mass. General Laws is hereby amended

by adding, at the end of section 4M, the following paragraph:—

There shall be established, within the department of veterans’

services, an Office of Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Members

and Former Members of the Armed Forces, whose mission is

to evaluate conditions and incidences of sexual harassment of

members of the armed forces, and of veterans of the armed forces.

Among the duties of the Office is to evaluate the scope and

impact of problems relative to sexual harassment within the armed

forces and for veterans; problems being experienced by victims of

sexual harassment; evaluate preventive measures, education and

training, and counseling measures that could be implemented to

prevent sexual harassment, and other conditions and factors relevant

to determining comprehensive information and data.

The Office shall, upon completion of its evaluation and review,

issue its findings and recommendations, and make all efforts to

implement directives, preventive measures, codes of conduct,

compliance procedures for adherence to rules, regulations and

laws governing acts of sexual harassment, counseling, education

and guidance, or other support services, and any other initiatives

designed to assist veterans and members of the armed forces who

have or who are experiencing acts of sexual harassment during

their current or past tour of duty in the armed forces, or who need

assistance and support services during transitions into civilian life.

The Office shall utilize all available resources to fulfill its

intent and objectives, including, but not limited to, current

resources and services available, access to services, treatment, and

programs existing in any state agency or subdivisions, and to call

upon veterans who have left service and who would be available,

on a voluntary basis, to fulfill supportive, counseling, guidance, or

any other role that would assist victims of sexual harassment.