Establishes a toll free confidential hotline for complainants of workplace sexual harassment to be administered by the division of human rights; makes related provisions.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
812--B
Cal. No. 381
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE(Prefiled)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by Sens. BIAGGI, ADDABBO, BRISPORT, BROOKS, BROUK, COONEY,
GAUGHRAN, HINCHEY, HOYLMAN, JACKSON, KRUEGER, LIU, MARTUCCI, MAYER,
SALAZAR, STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed
to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government
Operations -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to
the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended,
ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee --
recommitted to the Committee on Investigations and Government Oper-
ations in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably
from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a
third reading, passed by Senate and delivered to the Assembly,
recalled, vote reconsidered, restored to third reading, amended and
ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a toll
free confidential hotline for complainants of workplace sexual harass-
ment
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 295 of the executive law is amended by adding a new
2 subdivision 18 to read as follows:
3 18. To establish a toll free confidential hotline to provide individ-
4 uals with complaints of workplace sexual harassment counsel and assist-
5 ance. The division shall operate this hotline during regular business
6 hours and disseminate information about this hotline in order to ensure
7 public knowledge of the hotline, including by working with the depart-
8 ment of labor to ensure that information on the hotline is included in
9 any materials employers must post or provide to employees regarding
10 sexual harassment. The division will work with organizations represent-
11 ing attorneys, including but not limited to the New York state bar asso-
12 ciation, to recruit attorneys experienced in providing counsel related
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02897-05-2
S. 812--B 2
1 to sexual harassment matters who can provide pro bono assistance and
2 counsel to individuals that contact the hotline. The hotline shall
3 comply with all of the requirements for a program operated under the New
4 York Rules of Professional Conduct, 12 NYCRR, Rule 6.5 (Participation in
5 limited pro bono legal service programs). Attorneys may not solicit, or
6 permit employees or agents of the attorneys to solicit on the attorney's
7 behalf, further representation of any individuals they advise through
8 the hotline relating to discussed sexual harassment complaint.
9 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
10 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
11 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
12 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
13 completed on or before such effective date.
