WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today joined Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) Administrative Receiver Michael P. Kelly to discuss his legislation to require full disclosure of instances of sexual harassment within organizations receiving federal funds. The legislation would require that organizations receiving federal funds terminate individuals found to have engaged in sexual misconduct and require organizations to disclose any settlement payments, fees or fines arising from incidents of sexual harassment.
“Over the past year, the work that PHA has done for Philadelphia and the 80,000 residents PHA serves has been overshadowed by revelations of misconduct,” said Senator Casey. “What has happened is unacceptable. We must learn from the past and make changes to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. That is why I have introduced legislation to stop sexual harassment from being swept under the rug. When an agency like PHA is working hard to serve its community, it should not have its name tarnished by personal scandals.”
In 2010, it was revealed that the Philadelphia Housing Authority had settled sexual harassment claims filed by four women since 2004. According to a Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General audit report, the Authority failed to obtain required approval from the Department for most of its legal settlements. Furthermore, the settlements were never disclosed.
In order to prevent a similar situation where agencies or organizations that receive federal funds cover up sexual harassment by their employees, allowing the conduct to recur and public funds to be jeopardized, Senator Casey has introduced the Public Agency Accountability for Sexual Harassment Act. This good government legislation would:
1. Prohibit individuals who are agents of organizations that receive federal funds from engaging in sexual harassment;
2. Require that organizations receiving federal funds terminate individuals found to have engaged in sexual harassment;
3. Require organizations to disclose any settlement payments or other related fees or fines arising from that conduct to the federal agency from which they receive funds and to the Members of Congress representing the state in which the organization operates.
The Act empowers each Federal department and agency to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the statute and includes significant due process protections for individuals and agencies. Before it terminates or refuses to grant or continue assistance because of failure to comply with the requirements of the Act, the Federal department or agency must file a full written report with the committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The report must detail the circumstances and the grounds for termination.
The bill language cites to the definition of “sexual harassment” in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and provides that nothing in its provisions shall affect any right, obligation, or liability under Title VII. It excludes education and training programs that are covered by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
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