Sen. Mendoza Takes Leave of Absence Following Sexual Harassment Allegations

Sacramento's sexual harassment scandal is leaving its mark as the California Legislature reconvenes for the new year.

Wednesday evening State Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) gave into pressure from colleagues to take a leave of absence while sexual harassment charges against him are investigated. Three women have accused Mendoza of inappropriate behavior, which he vigorously denies.

“I have decided that I will take a leave of absence for this month of January to allow the investigation to move forward," he announced, following hours of closed-door discussions with Senate Democrats.

Mendoza says he will return to the Senate by February 1.

Earlier in the day legislative leaders announced the new Joint Committee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response. It will be tasked with creating identical reforms in both the Assembly and Senate to help the Legislature better deal with sexual harassment allegations.

The members of the committee will be:

Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), chair
Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), vice chair
Sen. Republican Leader Pat Bates (R-Laguna Niguel)
Assembly Republican Leader Brian Dahle (R-Bieber)
Sen. Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield)
Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino)
Assemblywoman Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino)
Assemblywoman Marie Waldron (R-Escondido)

“While we are two different houses, it is important we speak with one voice: sexual harassment and abuse have to stop and everyone in the capitol community must feel safe,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate Leader Kevin de León said in a statement.

“This joint committee will combine the efforts already underway in the Senate and Assembly and lead the way forward in a bicameral and bipartisan way to ensure the needed changes and protections can be put in place as quickly as possible.”

Additionally, Sen. Connie Leyva introduced a bill that would ban confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements in cases of sexual assault, sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

"As we have clearly seen over the last few months, secret settlements serve one primary purpose: to keep sexual predators away from the public eye and continuing to torment and hurt innocent victims," Leyva said in a statement.

Another measure introduced Wednesday would require hotels to provide their housekeepers with panic buttons if they're working alone in a guest room. Yet another, AB 1750 introduced by Assembly member Kevin McCarty (D–Sacramento), would require the Legislature to seek reimbursement for any sexual harassment settlements it pays out where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by a legislator.

This past fall Sacramento has been rocked by multiple sexual harassment and assault claims.

Assemblymen Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills) and Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) both resigned following separate accusations against them.

Next week, the state Senate will hold a hearing on sexual harassment. The Assembly held its own hearing in late November.

This post has been updated.