PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) -- In a proactive response to the sexual misconduct issue sweeping the country, the South Dakota Legislature will hold sexual harassment training for all lawmakers in January.
The bi-partisan leadership has called for training sessions for legislators and staff January 17. The training is not mandatory, but everyone will be encouraged to attend.
"With the atmosphere that's around right now." says House Republican Leader Lee Qualm of Platte, "I don't think there is a problem in Pierre, but I think it's relevant that we all know how to treat everybody. We want to treat everybody with respect."
Qualm tells KELO.com News that in his experience in Pierre everyone treats everyone with respect, but the leadership just wants to see that continue and it will be a "win-win" for everybody.
Senate Democrat Leader Billie Sutton of Burke says that South Dakotans expect and deserve a government that is "honorable and respectable."
Senate Republican Leader Blake Curd of Sioux Falls makes it clear.
"The Legislature takes sexual harassment seriously and it will not be tolerated."
In the 2017 State Legislature, Republican Representative Mathew Wollmann, 26, of Madison, resigned after acknowledging sexual contact with two interns. He claimed the contact was consensual.
Recently a former lobbyist accused a former lawmaker of sexual misconduct when they were both working in Pierre.
