Montpelier — As the #MeToo movement continues to make its mark on American life and work, the Vermont House has approved legislation that will strengthen the state’s sexual harassment laws and provide new protections for those subjected to workplace misconduct.

“Sexual harassment is not merely a violation of the decency with which we all deserve to be treated, but causes real economic harm, both for the survivors and the overall economy,” Rep. Thomas Stevens, D-Waterbury, said during the second reading of the bill earlier this week. The House passed H.707 on Wednesday.

Under the bill, employers are prohibited from requesting employees sign sexual harassment non-disclosure provisions or waivers of rights to sexual harassment claims. The bill also ensures that sexual harassment settlement agreements cannot bar an employee from working for an employer or a related entity in the future.

It has been nearly 40 years since the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) determined in 1980 that sexual harassment constitutes a violation of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, granting victims of sexual harassment the right to submit discrimination claims. Sexual harassment claims in Vermont can be made either to the Vermont Humans Rights Commission or the EEOC.

In 1993 the Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act added to federal law by requiring employers to adopt policies against sexual harassment, and to provide copies of those policies to all employees to ensure “a workplace free of sexual harassment.”