Paging All Pages

In an effort to "improve the overall effectiveness of the Program," the U.S. House of Representatives Page Board recently revamped their guidelines for employees when interacting with the House pages. The cause for alterations stem from a 2006 scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and more recently, a series of page expulsions from the program due to inappropriate conduct.

WashingtonPost.com blogger Mary Ann Akers posted, "Note to Lawmakers: Don't Feed the Pages!" on April 4 saying, "The new rules, a list of twelve commandments, spells out common-sense approaches on where and how to draw boundaries with the youngsters, and includes blunt language on rules against touching and entertaining pages."

The first three rules:

1. "To treat all House Pages with respect, integrity, dignity and consideration;"
2. "To offer appropriate mentoring to House Pages, being mindful of the need to maintain a professional relationship and appropriate physical and emotional boundaries;"
3. "To suggest, host, or take part in Page Program functions;"

Click here to view all 12 of the new guidelines.

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