Washington State House of Representatives
Code of Conduct
Preamble
The Washington State House of Representatives Code of Conduct is essential to achieving the mission of the House of
Representatives to, as stewards of the public trust, establish laws and policies guided by our state Constitution. The
Code of Conduct also aligns with the following institutional goals:
"(1) INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, UNDERSTANDING, AND TRANSPARENCY OF THE
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS;
(2) ENACT HIGH QUALITY LEGISLATION THROUGH DEBATE AND COLLABORATION THAT
IS THOUGHTFUL AND RESPONSIVE, AND HONORS OUR DIVERSE CITIZENRY;
(3) CONTINUOUSLY EVALUATE AND IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF
ALL LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS;
(4) RECRUIT AND RETAIN HIGHLY MOTIVATED, COMPETENT, AND CREATIVE STAFF;
(5) INVEST IN MEMBER AND STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; AND
(6) MAINTAIN AND ENFORCE THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS IN AN IMPARTIAL AND
CONSISTENT MANNER."

It is therefore the intent of the House that the expectations of the Code of Conduct shall:
• Embody the commitment of the House to maintain an environment where all people are treated, and are
expected to treat others, with dignity and respect;
• Apply equally and at all times to each individual participating in the legislative community and engaging in the
business of the House, both on and off the Capitol Campus;
• Continually reaffirm the mission, vision, and goals adopted by the House;
• Serve as a complement to other rules, policies, and procedures instituted by the House; and
• Be subject to regular review and any necessary revision.

Definitions
1. Legislative Community: The legislative community is the community of individuals who participate in the
business of the House of Representatives to enact high quality legislation through debate and collaboration.
Members of the legislative community of the House include but are not limited to:
• Legislators and other elected officials;
• Regular and temporary employees of the House;
• Lobbyists;
• State agency and other non-legislative government employees;
• Members of the press; and
• Members of the public.

Washington State House of Representatives Code of Conduct
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 2. Discrimination: The House prohibits discrimination or harassment based on a person’s race, creed, color,
national origin, gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, family status,
pregnancy, military or veteran status, age, genetic status, and/or physical, mental, or sensory disability, use of a
service animal, and any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
3. Harassment: Harassment is conduct that is unwelcome and on the basis of a person's protected status.
Harassment itself can take many forms. It can include:
• Comments, jokes, innuendoes, questions, stories, conversations, cartoons, or pranks;
• Physical, mental, and emotional intimidation, touching, ostracizing, or blocking or impeding someone's
freedom of movement; or
• Slurs, epithets, or displayed symbols.
4. Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment occurs when harassment is sexual in nature or is gender-based. Sexual
harassment includes but is not limited to:
• Unsolicited and unwelcome sexual advances or propositions;
• Requests for “dates” or other social encounters that may be inappropriate because of past rejections,
power dynamics, or other circumstances;
• Comments about a person’s appearance of a sexual or suggestive nature or at unacceptable times or
frequency;
• Unwelcome or unacceptable conduct such as touching or invasions of personal space; or
• Repeated and unwelcome electronic communication of a sexual, suggestive, or personal nature.
5. Bullying: Bullying is repeated and unreasonable actions of one or more persons that are threatening,
humiliating, degrading, or intimidating. Bullying can take many forms and may include physical intimidation,
isolation, verbal abuse, undermining, sabotage, unreasonable work expectations, or psychological
mistreatment such as gaslighting, humiliating, manipulating, or instilling fear. "Gaslight" means to manipulate
an individual or members of a group into questioning their own memory, perception, or sanity.
6. Respectful Workplace Policy: The Respectful Workplace Policy incorporates the House's internal personnel
policies and procedures with regard to discrimination, harassment, and abusive behavior or bullying in the
workplace. "Personnel" includes both employees and elected members of the House.

Code of Conduct
As stewards of the public trust, the House of Representatives is committed to maintaining an environment that upholds
the values of diversity, inclusivity, decorum, safety, and public service. Each member of the legislative community of
the House is therefore expected to:
• Conduct themselves with self-awareness, self-respect, and professionalism;
• Treat all others with respect, dignity, and civility, regardless of status or position; and
• Refrain from engaging in hostile, intimidating, offensive, and possibly unlawful activities or behaviors which
amount to discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or bullying.

Violations of the Code of Conduct
Each member of the legislative community is responsible for their own conduct. However, victims of and bystanders to
any violation of the Code of Conduct are highly encouraged to report the violation to their supervisor, the Chief Clerk,
House Counsel, or any third party contracted or retained by the House for the purpose of receiving complaints from, or
providing support to, members of the legislative community.

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 Beginning July 1, 2019, pending the passage of enabling legislation, the Independent Resource Office (IR Office) will
also be available to those wishing to file a complaint or seeking confidential support, guidance, advice, or assistance.
Contacting the IR Office is not a prerequisite to using any existing formal or informal process instituted by the House.
The House seeks to address any complaints in a manner that is apolitical, impartial, transparent, prompt, thorough, and
respectful. Reported violations of the Code of Conduct will be investigated in accordance with the rules, policies, and
procedures instituted by the House, including those of the Respectful Workplace Policy, and by the IR Office. No person
will be granted special privilege or immunity from consequences of violating the Code of Conduct on the basis of their
status or position in the legislative community.
Retaliation or threats of retaliation will not be tolerated against any person who complains of or reports discrimination,
harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, or other violations of the Code of Conduct. The House may take disciplinary
action against a person who retaliates or threatens retaliatory action.
All supervisors and House members have a responsibility to take employee concerns and complaints seriously and to
protect employees from behaviors that violate this Code of Conduct and the Respectful Workplace Policy. In the case of
harassment or other discriminatory behavior, a supervisor must promptly report any allegations to the Chief Clerk or
House Counsel. The House will investigate all such allegations. For more information regarding employee complaints,
please refer to the Respectful Workplace Policy.

Resources
In addition to the resources offered by the House and the IR Office, individuals may also wish to seek information or
assistance from the following:
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Legislative Ethics Board;
• Washington State Human Rights Commission;
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission;
• Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County;
• SafePlace;
• Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs; and
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

Acknowledgement
I affirm that I have read the House of Representatives Code of Conduct. I understand the conduct and
behavior expected of me as a member of the legislative community.

Signature
Washington State House of Representatives Code of Conduct
Last Updated 12/2018

Date Signed

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