2 Lawmakers Introduce Bill Following Rep. McMurtry Allegations

DEDHAM, MA — Two freshman lawmakers announced their plan to reintroduce a bill requiring an independent committee to investigation sexual harassment allegations on Beacon Hill.

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, and Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, told Mass Live they will file the bill. The bill's reintroduction follows allegations that State Rep. Paul McMurtry, D-Dedham, grabbed the backside of a female lawmaker during an orientation cocktail hour at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The allegations came from four fellow House members, who reported the accusations to House Speaker Robert DeLeo , the Boston Globe reported.

McMurtry, who serves in the 11th Norfolk District (Dedham, Westwood, Walpole), denied the allegations and said he welcomes an investigation.

"Relative to my personal conduct, I can assure you the allegations are absolutely, positively, unequivocally not true," McMurtry said in a statement. "I will participate in any review that leads to the truth of these matters."

Under State House rules, the Special Committee on Professional Conduct hears all sexual harassment cases brought forward on Beacon Hill. The committee is made up of lawmakers, who the House speaker and minority leader appoint. Sabadosa questioned how a committee of peers could remain unbiased, Mass Live reported.

“I don’t understand how a committee formed by leadership can investigate one of their own,” Sabadosa said.

DeLeo on Thursday, told reporters at a State House event, he acted accordingly and followed protocol.

"The only thing I can say at this time is the fact that, first of all, the House has a really comprehensive set of rules to handle, to deal with situations such as this," DeLeo said. "I can tell you from my perspective as speaker, I kept to those rules and acted accordingly."

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