NOW Works With Gov. Cuomo to Secure New Laws Protecting Women

Today, Governor Cuomo signed into law a number of critical bills of the Women's Equality Act that will advance women's economic security and prevent violence and discrimination against the women and girls of New York. The National Organization for Women New York played a central role in securing these wins for women.

"With today's signing of these Women's Equality Act measures, New York has taken bold action for women's advancement," said NOW New York President Sonia Ossorio. "These anti-discrimination bills address key challenges that span a woman's working life. We are leveling the playing field for women at work and improving the lives of families at home."

The measures signed into law today include:

The Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act (A.506/S.7) will hold traffickers accountable, strengthen New York's response to trafficking, and empower survivors.
Trafficking affects thousands of our most vulnerable.

Stopping Sexual Harassment in All Workplaces (A.5360/S.2) will expand sexual harassment protections to ALL private employers, including those with fewer than four employees.

The Equal Pay Bill (A.6075/S.1) will end wage secrecy policies and close the loopholes in New York's laws which allow employers to pay women less than their male colleagues.

Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Women (A.4272/S.8) will require employers to provide modest adjustments for pregnant workers who need them to stay on the job safely.

Expanding Access to Justice (A.7189/S.3) will allow successful litigants to recover attorney's fees in cases where women prove employment or credit discrimination.

Prohibiting Housing Discrimination Against Victims of Domestic Violence (A.06354/S.5) will end discrimination against domestic violence victims in housing and create a task force to study discrimination against low-income families receiving housing subsidies.

Ending Family Status Discrimination (A.07317/S.4) will ensure that our employment discrimination laws include familial and parental status.

Improving Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence (A.6262/S.6) This bill creates a pilot program to allow domestic violence victims to seek temporary orders of protection through electronic means rather than having to appear in person and makes clear that a victim of domestic violence who has an order of protection against their abuser cannot be accused of violating their own order of protection.

The National Organization for Women is the nation's largest organization working to advance women's rights and improve women's lives. NOW New York aims to protect and promote reproductive justice, secure workplace equality, combat racism and homophobia, and end discrimination and violence against all women.