As the #MeToo movement has clearly demonstrated, New York must do more to combat the scourge of sexual violence, harassment and discrimination. To help eliminate sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, Speaker Heastie was instrumental in passing a new law earlier this year that removes the requirement that the harassment be “severe or pervasive” to be legally actionable.
The legislation was a result of recommendations from the Assembly Sexual Harassment Workgroup, which Speaker Heastie convened in 2018. The workgroup held joint hearings with the state Senate earlier this year to identify ways to combat this problem. And, to help prevent harassment and discrimination in the Assembly, Speaker Heastie also implemented mandatory annual training for Assemblymembers and staff.