Some details about sexual assault or harassment settlements involving elected officials could become public upon request. That’s under a pair of bills passed on Wednesday in the state House of Representatives.
The package would require the public disclosure of the dollar amount of the settlement and the name of the elected official involved.
Republican state Representative Andrew Fink is among the bills’ sponsors. He says taxpayers deserve to know if their money goes toward these settlements.
“And so, whether it’s an elected legislator or elected executive, which what my bill covers, having that be exposed to the sunshine that the public view seems like an obvious preference.”
The bills would not allow for the public release of accusers’ names.
Both passed without opposition.