Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 2/28/22-3/4/22

 

Dear Community,

Happy Women’s History Month! This month and every month, we celebrate and honor women who have shaped and continue to shape our world for the better. Women have always led the way in the fight for justice and equality– whether it be in the women’s rights, labor, or civil rights movements– and it is imperative that we honor and recognize their contributions.

On the first day of Women’s History Month, the New York State Senate reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and protecting survivors by passing a package of legislation aimed at strengthening protections against sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. This package includes two of my bills, S812A and S738. 

My first bill, the Let Survivors Speak Act (S738), protects survivors from facing financial sanction for sharing their experiences of harassment and discrimination. The bill bars settlements of harassment and discrimination claims from including any terms or conditions requiring a plaintiff to pay liquidated damages for violating an NDA. This bill is a crucial step to protect survivors who choose to enter into settlement agreements, and remove any financial punishment for survivors who decide to speak out about their experiences. 

My second bill, S812A, establishes a toll free confidential hotline for complainants of workplace sexual harassment. Almost 75% of workplace sexual harassment goes unreported, often because employees don’t know who to go to or what their options are. By creating a free legal hotline, employees across the state – in a variety of workplaces and industries – can easily access confidential legal guidance through the Division of Human Rights, and quickly identify the best next steps to stop the harassment from continuing.

Visit here to learn more about other legislation included in this package.

I am extremely grateful to Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, my Legislative colleagues, and advocates for their support in moving this legislation forward and prioritizing this issue in the Legislature. These important bills will have a tremendous impact, allowing us to center and prioritize survivor justice to build a safer, harassment-free New York. 

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi