On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill barring forced arbitration in workplace sexual harassment cases. The measure, which the House had overwhelmingly passed earlier this week, will go to the President to be signed into law. The bill bars employment contracts from forcing people to settle sexual assault or harassment cases through arbitration rather than in court, a process that often benefits employers and keeps misconduct allegations from becoming public.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sponsored the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act.  Graham said in a statement: “I’m very pleased the Senate has now joined the House of Representatives in passing this important legislation and sending it to President Biden’s desk to sign into law. The days of sexual harassment and sexual assault cases being buried in unfair arbitration clauses are now over.”

The legislation would invalidate existing forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts that prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment survivors from seeking justice and public accountability under the laws meant to protect them.

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