State employees in Louisiana will not be able to reach settlements for sexual harassment claims that include nondisclosure clauses, if the deal involves public funds. That's the gist of a bill by Rep. Franklin Foil, a Baton Rouge Republican. It prohibits such provisions in any sexual harassment settlement deal involving the state.
Both the Louisiana House and Senate approved the legislation unanimously, and it has been signed into law by Gov. Edwards. According to the new law, a taxpayer-financed settlement of any claims involving sexual harassment or sexual assault that's connected to the state, a state agency or a state employee cannot stop the victim from talking about the allegations. The ruling applies to any settlement entirely or partially paid with public dollars.
