Requires employers to annually report to the division of human rights the number of settlements with employees and other individuals regarding claims of…

• Democratic2

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Andrew Gounardes says this is needed

Workplace sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination remain perva- sive issues that often go underreported and unaddressed, particularly when cases are resolved privately through settlements. While confiden- tiality provisions in such settlements may serve legitimate purposes, the lack of aggregate data prevents the state from fully understanding the scope and scale of these incidents across industries. This legislation addresses that gap by requiring employers to submit anonymized, non-identifiable data on settlements related to sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, to the Division of Human Rights. By centralizing this information, the Division will be able to identify industry patterns, highlight areas in need of increased outreach, and develop more targeted public education and enforcement strategies. The annual report produced by the Division will serve as a valuable tool for policymakers, advocates, and the public-ensuring that systemic prob- lems are not concealed by the private nature of settlement agreements. Respectfully, the bill protects individual privacy and regards the existing legal confidentiality clauses while still promoting government transparency and accountability. This legislation strengthens the state's ability to proactively address discrimination, supports informed policymaking, and reinforces the Division's role as a key agency for advancing civil rights in New York.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.