RALEIGH N.C. -- Senate Democrats are looking to overhaul how harassment complaints are handled at the General Assembly. 

NC Senator Erica Smith, a Democrat from Northampton County, says the process is outdated. 

"The ones I am representing happen to be three women, myself included, have encountered experiences in this building that would be illegal in private America and would cost someone their job," Senator Smith said during a news conference on Wednesday.

Currently the legislative policy does not direct the person filing the complaint to a human resources type of office. Instead they must first go to their immediate supervisor, then take it to the Majority or Minority leader of their chamber. 

From there, the complaint would go to the legislative ethics committee, made up of law makers.

"What is a person to do if there is a member of the committee who is actually the perpetrator of workplace harassment? So as the process is inherently flawed, and it does not serve and has not served as capable of protecting people and giving them the due process and the respect they deserve, " Smith says.

Smith mentioned Legislative Services Officer, Paul Coble, has been supportive and tried to put measures in place but believes more needs to be done. 

Legislation attempting to overhaul the complaint filing process was filed last year. 

All of the Senate Democrats have signed a discharge petition in an attempt to get the bill on the floor next week. 

However, they still need nine signatures from Republicans before that can happen. 

In a statement, Senate President Pro Tem's spokesman Pat Ryan says, "We’re always open to discussing improvements to General Assembly policies, and I’m sure Senator Smith would acknowledge that Senate Republicans treat her concerns and requests fairly. All bills can receive consideration in the legislature until the end of next year’s session, and I’m sure our members are open to continuing to speak to Sen. Smith about this issue.”