New York: Voters Approve Equal Protection Amendment to State Constitution
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APPLIES TO All Employers with Employees in NY |
EFFECTIVE January 1, 2025 |
QUESTIONS? Contact HR On-Call |
Quick Look
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Discussion:
New York voters approved Proposition 1 which expands New Yorkers’ state constitutional civil rights and increased protections against discrimination. The amendment goes into effect January 1, 2025. The amendment adds ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy as protected from discrimination by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state.
The amendment also makes clear that the addition of these protected classes does not limit free exercise of religion or invalidate any existing laws or regulations that are designed to prevent discrimination. Employers with New York employees should review and update their anti-harassment and discrimination policies, as needed. Note that the New York State Human Rights law already covers these protected classes.
Action Items
- Review and update their anti-harassment and discrimination policies.
- Have appropriate personnel trained on the requirements.
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