U.S. Sen. John Kennedy urged the Louisiana Legislature to address a bill that is supposed to prohibit the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual harassment allegations against public employees.

According to Kennedy, House Bill 197 will allow victims to be silenced through agreements that prohibit them from making disparaging remarks.  

“The Louisiana Legislature is about to ban nondisclosure agreements but allow nondisparaging remarks’ agreements.  That is utter insanity.  We need to be serious about bringing sexual predators into the sunlight,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “This is a mockery and a disservice to victims.  By allowing ridiculous loopholes like this, we encourage violators who cover up their sins and pay their victims with taxpayer money.”

After recess, Sen. Kennedy says he will file the Stop Silencing Victims Act by prohibiting government employees from hiding behind nondisclosure agreements.  The bill will apply to state and federal employees.