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.