What's happening
This bill extends the statute of limitations for workplace harassment claims in New York to six years.
Why it matters
Gives victims of workplace harassment more time to come forward. by extending the timeline to file claims, the bill recognizes that many workers may need years to process, report, or gather evidence about harassment.
Aligns workplace harassment claims with other serious civil actions. placing these claims under the same six-year statute of limitations as fraud and contract disputes signals the state considers workplace harassment comparably significant.
Could impact employer liability and workplace policies. employers may need to retain records and documentation for longer periods, adjust investigation procedures, and review past incidents more carefully to manage potential legal exposure.
Addresses barriers to justice for marginalized groups. the change is especially relevant for individuals who fear retaliation, face cultural stigma, or lack resources, giving them a more realistic window to seek legal redress.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Extend Harassment Lawsuit Time
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Extend Harassment Lawsuit Deadline
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Andrew Gounardes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
304
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the civil practice law and rules, in relation to the statute of limitations for actions based on harassment in the workplace
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The section heading and subdivisions 7 and 8 of section 213 of the civil practice law and rules, the section heading as amended and subdivision 7 as renumbered by chapter 43 of the laws of 1975, subdivision 7 as amended by chapter 532 of the laws of 1963, and subdivision 8 as amended by chapter 403 of the laws of 2004, are amended and a new subdivision 9 is added to read as follows:
Actions to be commenced within six years: where not otherwise provided for; on contract; on sealed instrument; on bond or note, and mortgage upon real property; by state based on misappropriation of public property; based on mistake; by corporation against director, officer or stockholder; based on fraud; based on harassment in the workplace.
7. an action by or on behalf of a corporation against a present or former director, officer or stockholder for an accounting, or to procure a judgment on the ground of fraud, or to enforce a liability, penalty or forfeiture, or to recover damages for waste or for an injury to property or for an accounting in conjunction therewith[.];
8. an action based upon fraud; the time within which the action must be commenced shall be the greater of six years from the date the cause of action accrued or two years from the time the plaintiff or the person under whom the plaintiff claims discovered the fraud, or could with reasonable diligence have discovered it[.];
9. an action based upon harassment in the workplace pursuant to the civil rights law or the human rights law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02160-01-9
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.