What's happening
This bill requires lobbyists and their organizations to report the number of sexual harassment complaints filed by their clients or relevant parties.
Why it matters
Increases transparency and accountability. by publicly tracking and reporting sexual harassment complaints involving lobbyists, their organizations, and the parties they interact with. This could pressure organizations to address issues more proactively.
Standardizes what counts as a sexual harassment complaint. by referencing established definitions in state labor and executive law, ensuring that only relevant and formally recognized complaints are reported.
May influence organizational behavior and policies. , since the requirement to disclose the number of complaints could incentivize lobbyist organizations and their clients to improve workplace standards and prevention efforts.
Shines a light on power dynamics in lobbying. , potentially exposing patterns or hotspots of harassment within the political influence industry, which could inform future legislative or regulatory responses.
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Headline styles
Track Lobbyist Harassment Complaints
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to ethics and internal governance
- Referred to ethics and internal governance
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.
Track Lobbyist Harassment Complaints
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3464
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 7, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance
AN ACT to amend the legislative law, in relation to sexual harassment complaints by clients of lobbyists
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision c of section 1-e of the legislative law is amended by adding a new paragraph 9 to read as follows:
(9) (i) the number, if any, of complaints related to sexual harassment received, by the lobbyist or their organization filed by the client of a lobbyist or persons, organizations, or legislative bodies before which the lobbyist is lobbying.
(ii) For purposes of this section only "complaints related to sexual harassment" shall mean a complaint that would qualify under the rules or regulations promulgated under section two hundred one-g of the labor law or section two hundred ninety-six-d of the executive law.
§ 2. Paragraph 5 of subdivision (b) of section 1-h of the legislative law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (vi) to read as follows:
(vi) (A) the number, if any, of complaints related to sexual harassment received, by the lobbyist or their organization filed by the client of a lobbyist or persons, organizations, or legislative bodies before which the lobbyist is lobbying.
(B) For purposes of this section only "complaints related to sexual harassment" shall mean a complaint that would qualify under the rules or regulations promulgated under section two hundred one-g of the labor law or section two hundred ninety-six-d of the executive law.
§ 3. Paragraph 6 of subdivision (b) of section 1-j of the legislative law, as added by section 7-b of part A of chapter 399 of the laws of 2011, is amended and a new paragraph 7 is added to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01658-04-9
S. 3464 2
(6) (i) the name and public office address of any statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee and entity with whom the client of a lobbyist has a reportable business relationship;
(ii) a description of the general subject or subjects of the transactions between the client of a lobbyist and the statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee and entity; [and]
(iii) the compensation, including expenses, to be paid and paid by virtue of the business relationship[.]; and
(7) (i) the number, if any, of complaints related to sexual harassment received, by the lobbyist or their organization filed by the client of a lobbyist or persons, organizations, or legislative bodies before which the lobbyist is lobbying;
(ii) for purposes of this section only "complaints related to sexual harassment" shall mean a complaint that would qualify under the rules or regulations promulgated under section two hundred one-g of the labor law or section two hundred ninety-six-d of the executive law.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to sexual harassment complaints by clients of lobbyists
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will extend state and federal statutes on anti-sexual harass- ment to lobbyists
Summary of specific provisions
-Definitions
-Prohibits lobbyists from committing sexual harassment while lobbying
-Provides penalties for lobbyists who commit sexual harassment including a civil penalty and ban for 1 year
-Requires lobbying organizations to have an anti-sexual harassment poli- cy which is consistent with current state and federal statutory provisions;
-Requires lobbyists to conduct yearly anti-sexual harassment training;
-Requires the statement of registration for lobbyists to certify they have adopted and conducted anti-sexual harassment training;
-Lobbyists who fail to certify shall be prohibited to appear before the legislature;
-Requires a report by the joint commission on public ethics on lobbyists prohibited before the legislature;
Section 2. Effective Date
Justification
Lobbyists regularly appear before the Legislators and their staff members. Lobbyists therefore deserve the same training and protections afforded to government workers and public officials.
Individuals have a right to a workplace free from sexual harassment. One in four women are sexually harassed at work. Sexual harassment in the workplace not only hurts the victim but also negatively impacts coworkers and can contribute to a hostile work environment. The frequen- cy of contact between legislators and lobbyists and the lobbyists' familiarity with staff warrants a higher scrutiny of these interpersonal relationships. As we work to amend sexual harassment policies for public entities and branches of government, we should ensure lobbyists are classified as protected individuals.
Prior legislative history
A.10557 in 2018, referred to governmental operations. Same as S.8426 in 2018, referred to finance
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.