Under the new law, alleged victims will have a longer statute of limitations to bring forth sexual harassment complaints. Non-disclosure agreements that prevent discrimination claims from being disclosed will be banned, while domestic workers and independent contractors will receive wider protections. The overhaul also eliminates forced arbitration on cases involving discrimination and permits for punitive damages.
“With the signing of this legislation, employers across all sectors will be held accountable for addressing all forms of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, and survivors will be given the necessary time to report complaints and seek the justice they deserve," State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Bronx Democrat and sponsor of the new law, notes in a statement.