Rule change may close misconduct hearings in Missouri House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Legislative hearings concerning alleged misconduct by Missouri House members could be closed to the public under new rules intended to shield the identities of those targeted by sexual harassment.

The House rule changes adopted this past week also could effectively shield accused lawmakers from publicity, at least until a substantiated claim is detailed in a final report.

The rule changes come after an extraordinary year in which the House held a mixture of public and private hearings on allegations of sexual and political misconduct by former Republican Gov. Eric Greitens. The House also held a public hearing on an ethics complaint against Republican Rep.