What's happening
This bill removes the rule that whistleblowers waive other legal rights or remedies when filing a whistleblower claim.
Why it matters
Protects Whistleblowers’ Full Range of Legal Rights. By removing the waiver requirement, employees who report wrongdoing can now pursue whistleblower claims without giving up other legal protections or remedies they might have under different laws, contracts, or agreements.
Encourages Reporting of Misconduct. Employees may be more willing to come forward about illegal or unsafe practices, knowing they won’t forfeit other avenues of legal recourse if they file a whistleblower claim.
Reduces Employer Leverage Over Employees. The amendment prevents employers from using the threat of limiting employees’ legal options as a deterrent against whistleblowing, thereby strengthening overall worker protections.
Aligns with Broader Worker Rights Movements. This change reflects a trend toward expanding and clarifying workplace rights, signaling to both employers and employees that whistleblower protections are robust and not meant to undermine other legal safeguards.
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Who cares
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Protect Whistleblowers' Legal Rights
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to labor
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.205
- Returned to assembly
- Died in senate
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.324
- Rules report cal.324
- Reported
Show 2 earlier actions
- Reported referred to rules
- Referred to labor
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Whistleblower Rights
In Senate Committee · Labor · Sponsor Marisol Alcantara
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2565
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. STECK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to eliminating a disincentive for whistleblowers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 740 of the labor law, as added by chapter 660 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
7. Existing rights. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any employee under any other law or regulation or under any collective bargaining agreement or employment contract[; except that the institution of an action in accordance with this section shall be deemed a waiver of the rights and remedies available under any other contract, collective bargaining agreement, law, rule or regulation or under the common law].
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07668-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.