What's happening
This bill prohibits the use of campaign funds to pay settlement fees, fines, or penalties related to sexual harassment cases.
Why it matters
Closes a loophole. that previously allowed politicians to use campaign donations—money intended to support their public service—for personal legal costs related to sexual harassment, increasing donor confidence that their contributions won’t be misused.
Creates greater personal accountability. for candidates and elected officials, signaling that sexual harassment allegations and penalties must be addressed with their own resources, not campaign funds.
Aligns political spending with ethical standards,. reinforcing the message that campaign funds should support legitimate campaign expenses or public service, not shield officials from consequences of personal misconduct.
May deter problematic behavior. by increasing the financial and reputational stakes for candidates facing sexual harassment allegations, which could encourage higher standards of conduct in public office.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Campaign Funds for Harassment
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to election law
- Print number 7834a
- Amend (t) and recommit to election law
- Referred to election law
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.
Ban Campaign Funds for Harassment Settlements
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Alessandra Biaggi
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7834--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 24, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. QUART -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the use of campaign funds to pay any settlement fees, fines or penalties for sexual harassment civil or criminal actions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (ix) and (x) of subdivision 3 of section 14-130 of the election law, as added by section 9 of part CC of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015, are amended and a new paragraph (xi) is added to read as follows:
(ix) dues, fees, or gratuities at a country club, health club, recreational facility or other entities with a similar purpose, unless they are expenses connected with a specific fundraising event or activity associated with a political campaign or the holding of public office or party position that takes place on the organization's premises; [and]
(x) travel expenses including automobile purchases or leases, unless used for campaign purposes or in connection with the execution of the duties of public office or party position and usage of such vehicle which is incidental to such purposes or the execution of such duties[.]; and
(xi) payment of any settlement fees, fines or penalties assessed against the candidate in connection with a criminal or civil action, investigation, or prosecution involving allegations of sexual harassment.
§ 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.
LBD09788-03-9
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.