New York Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal argues the state should deny tax breaks to companies that poorly handle sexual harassment complaints in the workplace, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Ms. Rosenthal drafted legislation that would require businesses to disclose a five-year history of sexual harassment complaints and the outcomes of those cases when applying for tax breaks or additional state incentives. Those companies who fail to address repeated problems would then be ineligible for state assistance.
"Taxpayers should not be subsidizing sexual assault," Ms. Rosenthal told The Cut.
The policymaker wrote the bill after numerous actresses came forward with sexual harassment and assault allegations against the film producer Harvey Weinstein. In addition, the idea for the bill came after estimates revealed Mr. Weinstein's film company received $426,500 in tax breaks from New York, which currently offers a 30 percent refundable tax credit to incentivize producers to film in the state.