How 7 Women Helped Put Sexual Harassment on Albany’s Agenda

In discussing their hopes for the hearing, the women emphasized that they believed it was only the start. They want more hearings across the state. They want new laws. They want to see changes to the Legislature’s processes for handling complaints that do not go to court.

They are well positioned to push for those demands. Ms. Kelly is now the chief of staff for Senator Andrew Gounardes, a newly elected Democrat who ran on a promise to support the women’s recommendations. Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas has introduced a package of bills shaped by the women’s policy proposals; their Senate sponsor is Alessandra Biaggi, who unseated Mr. Klein last year.