NC H1044

Requires the Legislative Services Commission and Legislative Ethics Committee to develop and adopt "zero tolerance" policies for sexual harassment, abuse, misconduct, gender bias, and all forms of workplace discrimination by December 31, 2018, incorporating them into each chamber's permanent rules.

Mandates mandatory ethics training for all legislators, officers, and legislative employees focusing on identification and prevention of sexual harassment, abuse, misconduct, gender bias, and discrimination in the workplace.

Establishes clear sanctions policies applicable to all legislators, officers, and legislative employees for violations of harassment and discrimination policies.

Creates a confidential complaint filing process through a designated employee in human resources services with authority to investigate complaints, find facts, and make sanction recommendations to the Legislative Services Commission and Legislative Ethics Committee.

Appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2018-2019: $50,000 for training materials and $200,000 for independent third-party contractual services to provide confidential advice and investigative support; effective July 1, 2018.