What's happening
This bill requires New York to create a toll-free hotline offering counsel and pro bono legal assistance for workplace sexual harassment complaints.
Why it matters
Expands access to legal advice. By establishing a toll-free hotline, the bill makes it easier for individuals experiencing workplace sexual harassment to quickly access guidance and counsel, potentially lowering barriers for those who may be unsure how to proceed or cannot afford a lawyer.
Integrates legal support into workplace resources. Requiring that information about the hotline be included in materials that employers must provide or post ensures employees are made aware of their rights and available help, aiming to increase reporting and support for victims.
Leverages pro bono legal assistance. The bill mandates collaboration with bar associations and legal organizations to recruit attorneys who will volunteer their time, which could increase the capacity for victims to receive preliminary legal advice without financial cost.
Limits attorney obligations. While attorneys will provide counsel via the hotline, they are not required to take on complainants as full clients. This could make it easier to recruit volunteer lawyers, but also means callers may still need to seek separate legal representation if they wish to pursue a case.
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
Workers with workplace sexual harassment complaints
They would gain access to a toll-free hotline offering free attorney counsel and assistance during regular business hours.
New York State Division of Human Rights
The division would establish, operate and publicize the hotline and recruit volunteer attorneys through legal organizations.
Department of Labor and employers
The division would work with the department to ensure hotline information appears in sexual harassment materials employers must post or provide to employees.
New York State Bar Association and volunteer attorneys
The association and other attorney organizations would help recruit lawyers to provide free advice without committing them to represent callers.
Headline styles
Create Harassment Complaint Hotline
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to finance
- Print number 4313a
- Amend (t) and recommit to finance
- Referred to finance
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.
Create Harassment Reporting Hotline
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Yuh-Line Niou
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4313--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 7, 2019
Introduced by Sens. BIAGGI, CARLUCCI, HOYLMAN, SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a toll free hotline for complainants of workplace sexual harassment
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 establish a toll free hotline to provide individuals with complaints of workplace sexual harassment counsel and assistance. The division shall operate this hotline during regular business hours and disseminate information about this hotline in order to ensure public knowledge of the hotline, including by working with the department of labor to ensure that information on the hotline is included in any materials employers must post or provide to employees regarding sexual harassment. The division will work with organizations representing attorneys, including but not limited to the New York state bar association, to recruit attorneys that shall provide pro bono assistance and counsel to individuals that contact the hotline. Attorneys will not be committed to representing any sexual harassment complainants that they advise through the hotline.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10062-02-9
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 establishing a toll free hotline for complainants of workplace sexual harassment
Purpose of bill
To establish a pilot program to create a legal hotline for complainants of workplace sexual harassment
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends the executive law by adding a new section 75 which establishes legal hotline for workplace sexual harassment complaints which shall be accessible by a toll-free phone number. Intake counselors will refer complainants to appropriate and available volunteer attorney who will contact and advise the complainant.
Section 2: Sets forth the effective date
Justification
Nearly 75% of all sexual harassment goes unreported and those who do report often face retaliation and inadequate redress. As a result, many victims of workplace sexual harassment are unable to exercise their legal rights because they are not aware of what those rights are and/or are afraid to exercise their rights.
This bill will create a toll-free, confidential, and safe legal hotline for reporting workplace sexual harassment. This hotline will be accessi- ble, at minimum, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The function of the hotline will be to refer complainants to volunteer attorneys who will help make them aware of their legal rights and advise them on the specifics of their individualized cases. This will help facilitate an easier, more streamlined reporting system.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.