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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

Maryland Leads the Nation in Response to Sexual Assault

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Monday, January 29, 2018   

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Thanks to the Maryland General Assembly's rapid response and passage of several laws to help victims of sexual assault, some victim advocates say the state is leading the country in its handling of sexual harassment and assault cases.

Last year, several laws took effect, including a provision known as "no means no," saying that evidence of physical resistance is not required to prove that a sexual crime has taken place. The Maryland General Assembly now has formed a commission to examine workplace polices on sexual harassment in all three branches of state government.

Lisae Jordan, executive director and counsel with the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, has been named a member of the assembly.

"The Maryland General Assembly is ahead of the country in terms of responding to issues of sexual assault,” Jordan said. “They made policy changes after the Billy Bush Trump tape and have continued to update their policies. "

The General Assembly's Workplace Harassment Commission consists of 11 other women and two men. The panel will review state policies and solicit input from business leaders, the public and policy experts and make recommendations to the Legislative Policy Committee.

Jordan said it's important to have updated policies and procedures in place to reduce incidences of sexual harassment.

"This is another step in making sure that the environment at the General Assembly and throughout the state of Maryland, including state government and the judiciary, is free of sexual harassment,” she said; “and, when sexual harassment occurs, that survivors have a place to go that is independent and effective."

The General Assembly's Workplace Harassment Commission is chaired by Jeanne Hitchcock, who held two cabinet positions in former Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration and senior posts in state and local government and the private sector. The state's latest sexual-harassment policy and procedures is available at the Maryland Department of Budget Management website.



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