MCLE Self-Study: #MeToo Movement Inspires Changes in California’s Sexual Harassment Law: SB 1300

By Mariko Yoshihara

Mariko Yoshihara has been the Policy Director and Legislative Counsel for the California Employment Lawyers Association since 2010. Last year, she helped pass comprehensive sexual harassment reform measures, including SB 1300. She also helped pass the landmark Fair Pay Act in 2015 and the New Parent Leave Act in 2018. Before joining CELA, Ms. Yoshihara worked for Assembly Member Fuentes as a legislative aide. She graduated cum laude from UC Hastings College of the Law in 2008,

Introduction

Just over a year ago, actress Alyssa Milano ignited the powerful #MeToo movement on Twitter, using the hashtag originally created by Tarana Burke in 2006 to raise awareness about sexual violence. Within weeks, the voices and stories of women and people of all genders, saying #MeToo, exposed the rampant and pervasive culture of sexual harassment infecting nearly every industry.