Hollywood Casting Couch Is Targeted in California Harassment Law

California lawmakers are taking aim at the casting couch.

After a year of horror stories from women about alleged abuses at the hands of powerful men such as producer Harvey Weinstein and talk-show host Charlie Rose, California lawmakers are poised to revise a 1994 sexual harassment law to make clear it applies to producers and directors. The amendment would add regulatory oversight for the first time and make it easier for victims to file a complaint.

“The key is that the law also recognizes that harassment can occur even before a formal professional relationship exists, because the harasser has power ...