The bill would apply to employers and university admissions offices, with exceptions for law enforcement and formal workplace harassment investigations. But during debate, Republican Senator Ted Gaines told the author, Democrat Leland Yee, that he's worried the exemptions aren't broad enough. Gaines says employers often need to intervene before a suspected case of harassment escalates.
Gaines: "I agree with the intent
of your legislation because I want to make sure we protect the
individuals' privacy - but I have a concern on trying to address
early harassment."
Yee: "I understand that.
The reality is we clearly do not want employers to go on a fishing
expedition."
Yee says sites like Facebook contain lots of personal information - including things employers are forbidden to ask for by state and federal law.
Also on Friday, the Senate passed a measure that would require vehicles to give a three-foot "buffer zone" when passing bicyclists. A violation would lead to a fine of more than $200.