All state agencies and departments have an affirmative duty to take reasonable steps to prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and are responsible for integrating equal employment opportunities in every aspect of employment. The lack of a centralized database to track sexual harassment cases prohibits the state from identifying whether patterns or problems exist and how much the state is paying to settle harassment complaints. 

Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D- Pomona) authored AB 2713 to create a centralized mechanism to track sexual harassment complaints received and filed by state employees in each state agency and department, and the amount paid to settle these complaints.  This legislation was co-sponsored by Local 2620 with SEIU 1000 and would have also required the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to collect information into a report and make it available to the Legislature and the public. 

The bill passed through the State Legislature with bipartisan support but was vetoed by Governor Brown on September 30, 2018. AFSCME Council 36 and Council 57 will continue to address the issue of sexual harrassment in the coming year.