Legislation

by

Man in suit on courthouse stone steps Man in suit on courthouse stone steps

Happy New Year! Recently, the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) – New York State’s primary anti-discrimination law – has been modified to strengthen employee protections. These changes, some occurring in 2019 and some occurring in 2020, are summarized at the New York State Division of Human Rights’ website, here. These changes include: Effective…

Read More NY State Law Protections for Employees: 2020 and Beyond
Share This:
by

mjpwebsite mjpwebsite

Effective October 11, 2019, the New York State Human Rights Law permits an award of punitive damages in certain employment discrimination cases. The relevant section is codified at NYS Executive Law § 297(4)(c), which provides: If, upon all the evidence at the hearing, the commissioner shall find that a respondent has engaged in any unlawful…

Read More NYS Human Rights Law Provides for Punitive Damages in Certain Employment Cases
Share This:
by

Bar window sign refusing service to anyone Bar window sign refusing service to anyone

Today, Governor Cuomo signed legislation (A8421 / S6577) that substantially strengthens the New York State Human Rights Law, particularly with respect to sexual harassment. Among other things, the legislation: Eliminates the “severe or pervasive” standard for hostile work environment claims; Eliminates the so-called “Faragher/Ellerth defense” to hostile work environment claims, in that “[t]he fact that…

Read More Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Strengthening the New York State Human Rights Law
Share This:
by

Scuba diver underwater waving with gear Scuba diver underwater waving with gear

On Tuesday, July 23, 2019, Governor Cuomo signed a law, Senate Bill S1719C (A5981), which “establishes the crime of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image” (a/k/a “revenge porn”). The legislation, inter alia, amends the Penal Law by adding a new section (§ 245.15), titled “Unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image”, and…

Read More “Revenge Porn” Legislation Signed Into Law in New York
Share This:
by

mjpwebsite mjpwebsite

On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, the New York State Legislature passed changes to state law regarding employment discrimination in general and sexual harassment in particular. In sum, the law (A8421 / S6577; version showing deletions/additions here), among other things: Provides increased protections for protected classes and special protections for employees who have been sexually harassed;…

Read More Legislature Passes Sweeping Amendments to NYS Human Rights Law
Share This:
by

Dark green PL monogram logo Dark green PL monogram logo

The New York State legislature is in the process of reviewing/amending the New York State Human Rights Law regarding sexual harassment. The bill(s) under consideration are S3817A / A7083A. Currently, victims of sexual harassment in New York City enjoy protection under three statutes: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (federal law), the…

Read More Proposed Changes to New York State’s Sexual Harassment Law
Share This:
by

Smiling man in suit with orange tie Smiling man in suit with orange tie

The New York City Council recently passed a Local Law, Int. 1445-2019, that will ban pre-employment testing for marijuana usage. Specifically, it amends sections 8-102 and 8-107 of the New York City Administrative Code. The Council summarizes the legislation as follows: This proposed bill would prohibit New York City employers from requiring a prospective employee…

Read More NYC Council Bans Marijuana Testing of Prospective Employees
Share This:
by

Post thumbnail

It is not uncommon for a legal claim to be resolved by settlement. In such cases, the settlement will in all likelihood be memorialized in a settlement agreement which – in addition to setting out the basics of the agreement (i.e., a release of claims in exchange for monetary compensation) – will include additional provisions.…

Read More New York Law Limiting Use of Nondisclosure Agreements in Sexual Harassment Cases
Share This:
by

Man in suit with pink bow tie Man in suit with pink bow tie

A (relatively) recent (April 12, 2018) New York State law, Executive Law §  296-d, explicitly prohibits sexual harassment directed at non-employees. The law provides: It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for an employer to permit sexual harassment of non-employees in its workplace. An employer may be held liable to a non-employee who is a…

Read More New York Law Prohibiting Sexual Harassment Relating to Non-Employees
Share This:
by

Sign on bar door refusing service to anyone Sign on bar door refusing service to anyone

On February 14, 2019, New York Governor Cuomo signed the “Child Victims Act,” powerful and important legislation which strengthens the rights of those victimized by child abusers. The legislation: Increases the amount of time during which perpetrators of these crimes may be held criminally accountable; Allows victims of these crimes to commence a civil lawsuit…

Read More Governor Cuomo Signs the “Child Victims Act”
Share This:
© 2026 Pospis Law, PLLC. All Rights Reserved.