What's happening
This bill requires lobbyists in New York to complete annual anti-sexual harassment training, with public penalties for noncompliance.
Why it matters
Increases Accountability for Lobbyists. By mandating annual anti-sexual harassment training, the bill creates a new compliance obligation for lobbyists, signaling that ethical conduct and workplace safety are priorities for those seeking to influence government.
Public Disclosure as a Deterrent. The requirement to publish the names of lobbyists who fail to complete the training—and to bar them from lobbying until they comply—adds a reputational risk, providing a strong incentive for compliance and informing the public about who is following the rules.
Industry-Specific Training Content. The curriculum will address harassment issues specific to the lobbying and advocacy sector, ensuring that the training is relevant to the unique power dynamics and environments lobbyists operate in.
No Substitution for Other Training. The mandated course is in addition to any other required anti-harassment training under state or local law, meaning lobbyists cannot “double count” it for other legal obligations—raising the overall standard for anti-harassment education in the field.
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Who cares
Registered lobbyists
The bill would require annual anti-sexual harassment training, in addition to other legally required training, and bar lobbyists who miss the applicable deadline from lobbying until they complete it.
Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
The commission would provide the online course, publish a list of lobbyists barred for missing training and remove their names within two business days of completion.
Lobbying firms and organizations retaining lobbyists
They would face interruptions in lobbying work if their lobbyists miss training deadlines and become prohibited from lobbying.
Lobbying and advocacy industry workers
The course would include material specifically addressing sexual harassment issues in their industry, using a curriculum based on Department of Labor model guidance and policy.
Headline styles
Require Lobbyist Harassment Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to ethics and internal governance
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.1675
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to ethics and internal governance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
426
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. LIU, BROUK, GOUNARDES, HOYLMAN-SIGAL, RAMOS -- 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 authorizing the commission on ethics and lobbying in government to provide a training course concerning anti-sexual harassment training for lobbyists and requiring lobbyists to complete the course annually
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1-d of the legislative law is amended by adding a new subdivision (i) to read as follows:
(i) provide an online anti-sexual harassment training course for individuals filing statements of registration as lobbyists pursuant to section one-e of this article, including individuals filing an initial registration statement and individuals filing a renewal registration statement. The curriculum for the course shall be based upon the model sexual harassment prevention guidance document and sexual harassment prevention policy promulgated by the department of labor pursuant to section two hundred one-g of the labor law and shall include, but not be limited to, explanations and discussions of what constitutes sexual harassment, the statutes and regulations of New York concerning sexual harassment, summaries of advisory opinions, underlying purposes and principles of the relevant laws, and examples of practical application of these laws and principles. The curriculum shall include specific material relating to sexual harassment issues in the lobbying and advocacy industry. The commission shall prepare those methods and materials necessary to implement the curriculum. The commission shall prepare and publish on its website a list of the names of lobbyists who have failed to complete the training course by the required date and are prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities, provided the commission shall
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01680-01-5
update the list and remove the name of any lobbyist that completes the training course within two business days of the lobbyist's completion of the training course.
§ 2. Sections 1-u and 1-v of the legislative law, section 1-v as relettered by chapter 1 of the laws of 2005, are relettered sections 1-v and 1-w and a new section 1-u is added to read as follows:
§ 1-u. Anti-sexual harassment training. Each individual filing a registration statement as a lobbyist pursuant to section one-e of this article, including individuals filing an initial registration statement and individuals filing a renewal registration statement, shall complete the anti-sexual harassment training course provided by the commission pursuant to subdivision (i) of section one-d of this article at least once annually during the period that such individual is registered as a lobbyist. Completion of the training course shall be in addition to, and shall not satisfy, any other statutory or regulatory requirement under state or local law. If any person who has been retained, employed or designated as a lobbyist on or before December fifteenth of the previous calendar year fails to complete such course by December thirty-first of that year, such person shall be prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities in the following year until the person completes the training course. If any person who has been retained, employed or designated as a lobbyist after December fifteenth of the previous calendar year fails to complete such course within thirty days of such retention, employment or designation, such person shall be prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities until the person completes the training course.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to individuals registered as lobbyists on and after January 1, 2027.
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 authorizing the commission on ethics and lobbying in government to provide a training course concerning anti-sexual harassment training for lobbyists and requiring lobbyists to complete the course annually
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require anti-sexual harassment training for lobbyists appearing before members of the legislature.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Directs the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government to develop an anti-sexual harassment training curriculum required for registered lobbyists. The curriculum shall include materials specific to the lobbying and advocacy industry. Lobbyists who have not completed the training by the required date will be prohibited from engaging in lobby- ing activities.
Section 2: Requires registered lobbyists to complete the anti-sexual harassment training course annually.
Section 3: Provides the effective date.
Justification
The Department of Labor has long recognized the need for anti-harassment training to help prevent hostile work environments. Annual training to prevent sexual harassment is mandated for all legislators and legisla- tive staff.
Lobbyists frequently work in close proximity to legislators, legislative staff, and government officials, and they must register with the state in order to conduct business before the New York State government. As a condition of their registration, lobbyists should undergo annual anti- sexual harassment training, similar to that required of the Legislature, to ensure they uphold the standards expected in the NYS government. This simple requirement for lobbyists will help protect legislators, legislative employees, and lobbyists alike from harassment and miscon- duct.
Prior legislative history
05/13/24 REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
06/01/23 PASSED SENATE; REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
2022: THIRD READING
2021: PASSED SENATE
Effective date
The act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to individuals registered as lobbyists on and after January 1, 2026.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.