A Colorado legislative committee has voted unanimously to hire an independent human resources professional to handle workplace harassment complaints – and to do so quickly.

The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council will work with the Office of Legislative Legal Services on creating and posting a request for proposals by Dec. 20, with a submission deadline of Jan. 3.

“I think there’s an immediate need and a long-term need and those might not be the same thing,” House Majority Leader Rep. KC Becker, D-Boulder, said before the vote. “We might need to meet again, but I think we need to hire someone right now. We need to get someone in pretty soon, figuring out specifics may need adjustment (later on).”

Senate Majority Leader Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, nodded in agreement.

“I very much want a person, a go-to person, no matter who you are – lobbyist, press, guest in the Capitol – anyone could go to this person,” Holbert said.

Formal complaints are currently filed with House or Senate leadership, and though the process ensures confidentiality, some have said concerns about pushback have made them remain silent.

“Actions taken today will be meaningful steps … to reform the culture at the Capitol,” House Speaker Crisanta Duran said.

At issue is changing Joint Rule 38, which governs workplace harassment at the General Assembly. Legislators would need to amend that rule by the end of the 2018 session to create a permanent human resources position to handle complaints by the upcoming session.

“We need to get someone in soon,” Becker said. “Figuring out specifics may need adjustment (later).”

The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council includes Senate President Kevin Grantham, Duran, Holbert, Becker, Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman and House Minority Leader Patrick Neville.

Grantham re-emphasized after the hearing adjourned that “this is a first step.”

“We’re reviewing a policy that’s been in place for a long time,” he said. “We’ve been told it’s got some strengths, it’s got some weaknesses, so we want some folks to come in from the outside and tell us, ‘Here’s where you can bolster it; here’s where you can make it better.'”

Duran said the meeting was the first step in addressing sexual harassment allegations head on by ensuring there is systemic change, starting with hiring an outside expert who will be accessible to everyone.

“They will be taking feedback from the public, victims, legislators, lobbyists – all interested parties – to make recommendations to us to ensure that we have the best policy possible,” Duran said.

The committee also voted to increase the regularity with which workplace harassment training takes place for lawmakers and Capitol employees. The training is currently required every two years. A unanimous vote by the committee means that will now happen on an annual basis.

Creating a new, permanent, salaried position for a “gate-keeper” to handle complaints will require legislative action. Neville said he expects funding that position will garner broad support from his fellow legislators.