HB 276 Summary

• Requires the executive director of the Legislative Affairs Agency to establish a personnel office to investigate allegations of discrimination and harassment by legislators and legislative employees.

• Personnel office shall investigate violations of AS 18.80.220 (state discrimination/harassment law) and legislature-adopted policies prohibiting sexual harassment or discrimination.

• Investigation concludes with a final written report delivered to the Rules Committee chair (if legislature is in session), presiding officers of each house (if not in session), and the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics.

• If discrimination is found, the personnel office shall initiate a complaint under the Legislative Ethics Act stating the violation occurred.

• Investigation reports are confidential unless made public under existing ethics statute procedures.