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NY S02419

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/17/2025

Primary Sponsor

Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Establishes that communications made by individuals without malice regarding incidents of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination are legally privileged in defamation actions

  • Entitles prevailing defendants in defamation lawsuits over such privileged communications to recover reasonable attorney's fees, costs, treble damages for harm caused by the lawsuit, and punitive damages

  • Applies to individuals who have or had a reasonable basis to file a complaint of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination, regardless of whether a formal complaint was actually filed

  • Defines covered "communications" to include factual information about sexual assault, sexual harassment, workplace harassment or discrimination, retaliation, and housing discrimination experienced by the person making the statement

  • Amends Civil Rights Law Section 74 to expand existing protections for fair reporting of judicial and legislative proceedings

Legislative Description

Provides that certain communications made without malice regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment or discrimination shall be deemed privileged; provides that a prevailing defendant in an action brought against such defendant for making a communication that is privileged shall be entitled to attorney's fees and costs for such defense.

Last Action

REFERRED TO CODES

1/17/2025

Committee Referrals

Codes1/17/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available