#TXLEGE: House's new sexual harassment policy...doesn't look like it changes much

"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;"
Ephesians 5:3

From today's rules debate:

Amid continued scrutiny over how lawmakers handle reports of sexual misconduct by their colleagues, members of the House on Wednesday approved a measure that will strengthen the way the chamber addresses complaints of sexual harassment.

As part of a unanimous vote on the House's standard housekeeping resolution that governs its operations, the chamber approved a new internal policy that would move investigative duties for complaints of inappropriate behavior to a legislative committee with subpoena power. It also cements the use of independent investigations of elected officials.

....

Under the new policy, sexual harassment complaints would go through the chamber's general investigating committee, which would investigate and recommend sanctions based on the severity of the harassment. If the complaint involves a member of the House, the committee would be required to appoint an independent investigator.

House members made a slight change to the proposed policy that specified any independent investigation of a state representative would be a fact-finding mission only and not involved in any potential remedial action.

In other words, this is still the House investigating the House.  Sure, they say they'll appoint an "independent investigator."  Baylor did the same thing.

We all know how that worked out.

Furthermore, there's no timetable for potential investigations.  This means the House can still slow walk things.  Delay still equals death.

That being said, to the House's credit, at least they don't have Borris Miles and Charles Schwertner continuing to hide in plain sight.

Bottom Line: It's probably a small amount of incremental progress, but the underlying dynamic remains unchanged.