New York State Sexual Harassment Law 2019

In 2019, New York state passed and Governor Cuomo signed a new sexual harassment law. The law:

• provides increased protections for protected classes and special protections for employees who have been sexually harassed;
• prohibits nondisclosure agreements related to discrimination;
• prohibits mandatory arbitration clauses related to discrimination;
• requires employers to provide employees notice of their sexual harassment prevention training program in writing in English and in employees’ primary languages;  
• extends the statute of limitations for claims resulting from unlawful or discriminatory practices constituting sexual harassment to three years;
• requires review and update of the model sexual harassment prevention guidance document and sexual harassment prevention policy; and
• directs the commissioner of labor to conduct a study on strengthening sexual harassment prevention laws.