On Wednesday, March 16, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation into law aimed at addressing workplace harassment and discrimination.
The legislation includes establishing a toll-free confidential hotline for complaints of workplace sexual harassment through the Division of Human Rights. It also includes prohibiting the release of personnel files as a retaliatory action against employees, among other measures.
The legislation comes as part of Hochul’s Equity Agenda. It was signed at a Women’s History Month celebration attended by gender equity and women’s rights advocates, according to a press release.