What's happening
This bill requires all New York state employees to complete annual bystander intervention training to prevent sexual harassment.
Why it matters
Expands Prevention Efforts. By making bystander intervention training mandatory for all state employees, the bill shifts some responsibility for preventing sexual harassment onto coworkers, not just victims or supervisors, potentially leading to earlier and more effective intervention.
Creates Consistent Standards. Annual, state-developed training ensures that all employees across agencies receive the same information and tools, reducing confusion about expectations and reinforcing a uniform culture against harassment.
Signals Institutional Commitment. The requirement for ongoing, rather than one-time, training demonstrates a long-term commitment to addressing workplace harassment, which may improve employee trust in state agencies’ willingness to address these issues.
Potential for Cultural Change. By focusing on bystander intervention, the bill encourages employees to be proactive in supporting colleagues and holding each other accountable, aiming to shift workplace norms and discourage toleration of inappropriate behavior.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Bystander Training Statewide
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
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.
Require Bystander Training for Employees
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Aravella Simotas
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2034
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 18, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to mandating bystander intervention training for sexual harassment prevention for all state employees
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 295 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 17 to read as follows:
17. To mandate that all state employees shall annually attend a bystander intervention training program developed by the division for the prevention of sexual harassment.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05638-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to mandating bystander intervention training for sexual harassment prevention for all state employees
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prevent sexual harassment in the workplace by requiring state employ- ees to complete bystander intervention training.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 adds a new subdivision, 17, to section 295 of the executive law to mandate that all state employees annually attend a bystander intervention training program. Section 2 provides the effective date.
Justification
It is critical that our state implements effective prevention strategies to address the pervasive problem of sexual harassment. Violence and harassment in the workplace can have detrimental effects on both targets and their coworkers, leading to higher rates of turnover and absentee- ism. Providing comprehensive education and training is an important step to combat harassment and build a safe and respectful workplace culture. Bystander intervention is an effective approach to sexual violence prevention that goes beyond the traditional roles of victim and harasser to empower all workers and make eliminating harassment a collective responsibility. Bystander intervention training has been successfully implemented in military and college settings and the EEOC recommends employers incorporate this technique as part of holistic policies on sexual harassment. This proactive measure will help state employees develop the skills to intervene when harassment and discrimination occurs and foster more equitable and supportive working environments throughout the state.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
The ninetieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.