Massachusetts state legislators are mulling over an anti-sexual harassment bill that would apply to venture capitalists. But a trade group is opposing the measure as currently proposed.
The bill would include apply sexual harassment and discrimination laws apply to venture capitalists and others.
The New England Venture Capital Association has said this could have a chilling effect on VCs meeting with women entrepreneurs.
At a legislative hearing, two female members of the association testified it would make them think twice before taking those meetings, fearing legal exposure if they turn down a pitch.
But state Senator Jamie Eldridge, the Senate chair of the Joint Judiciary Committee, doesn't buy that argument.
“It suggests that the meetings are taking place just to be generous to female entrepreneurs, when actually many of them are extremely qualified," Eldridge said. "And in my opinion, they’re not getting enough funding because of their gender."
The committee is currently reaching out to other industry officials about the bill, Eldridge said.
