What's happening
This bill requires New York's sexual harassment prevention training to include bystander intervention training on recognizing and responding to problematic behaviors.
Why it matters
Expands workplace sexual harassment training. to explicitly cover bystander intervention, ensuring all employees—not just victims or perpetrators—are equipped to recognize and respond to problematic behaviors.
Requires practical guidance. , not just theoretical information, so employees learn specific strategies to intervene safely and effectively, potentially reducing incidents before they escalate.
Shifts some responsibility for workplace culture. onto all employees, promoting shared accountability and a more proactive approach to preventing harassment, rather than relying solely on victims to come forward.
Aligns New York’s standards with best practices. in harassment prevention, which research shows are more effective when bystander intervention is included, potentially leading to safer workplaces and reduced liability for employers.
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
New York State Department of Labor
The bill would require its model sexual harassment prevention training program to include bystander intervention training.
Employers
The bill would add bystander intervention to the model sexual harassment prevention training content used to guide workplace training.
Employees
The added training would provide information and practical guidance to help bystanders recognize potentially problematic behaviors and motivate them to act.
Headline styles
Require Bystander Training at Work
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to labor
- Referred to labor
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 at Work
In Assembly Committee · Labor · Sponsor Aravella Simotas
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4716
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 21, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to bystander intervention training
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 201-g of the labor law, as added by section 1 of subpart E of part KK of chapter 57 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
a. Such model sexual harassment prevention training program shall be interactive and include: (i) an explanation of sexual harassment consistent with guidance issued by the department in consultation with the division of human rights; (ii) examples of conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment; (iii) information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and remedies available to victims of sexual harassment; [and] (iv) information concerning employees' rights of redress and all available forums for adjudicating complaints; and (v) bystander intervention training that includes information and practical guidance on how to enable bystanders to recognize potentially problematic behaviors and to motivate such bystanders to take action when observing problematic behaviors.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth 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.
LBD10257-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to bystan- der intervention training
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 201-g of the labor 2 law to include bystander intervention training in the model sexual harassment prevention 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.
Including bystander intervention training in the model sexual harassment prevention training program will help guide NYS employers and employees to 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 one hundred eightieth 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.