S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
398
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ROZIC, QUART, WALLACE, BARNWELL, STIRPE, LUPARDO,
GOTTFRIED, SIMON, BARRETT -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. HEVESI --
read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to contract provisions waiv-
ing certain substantive and procedural rights
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 211-b to
read as follows:
§ 211-B. CONTRACTS; CERTAIN PROVISIONS PROHIBITED. 1. A PROVISION IN
ANY CONTRACT WAIVING ANY SUBSTANTIVE OR PROCEDURAL RIGHT OR REMEDY
RELATING TO A CLAIM OF DISCRIMINATION, NON-PAYMENT OF WAGES OR BENEFITS,
RETALIATION, HARASSMENT OR VIOLATION OF PUBLIC POLICY IN EMPLOYMENT
SHALL BE DEEMED UNCONSCIONABLE, VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE, WITH RESPECT TO
ANY SUCH CLAIM ARISING AFTER THE WAIVER IS MADE. NO RIGHT OR REMEDY
ARISING UNDER THIS SECTION, THIS CHAPTER, COMMON LAW, ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW OR RULE OF PROCEDURE OR THE CONSTITUTION SHALL BE PROS-
PECTIVELY WAIVED. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT RENDER VOID OR UNENFORCEABLE
THE REMAINDER OF THE CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBDIVISION SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE TERMS OF ANY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT BETWEEN AN EMPLOYER AND THE BONA FIDE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT EMPLOYER'S EMPLOYEES.
2. A PROVISION IN ANY CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT WHICH HAS THE PURPOSE OR
EFFECT OF CONCEALING THE DETAILS RELATING TO A CLAIM OF DISCRIMINATION,
NON-PAYMENT OF WAGES OR BENEFITS, RETALIATION, HARASSMENT OR VIOLATION
OF PUBLIC POLICY IN EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING CLAIMS THAT ARE SUBMITTED TO
ARBITRATION, SHALL BE DEEMED UNCONSCIONABLE, VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE. THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE TERMS AND CONDI-
TIONS OF AN AWARD ISSUED BY AN ARBITRATOR PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVENTY-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02691-01-1
A. 398 2
FIVE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES OR THE AMOUNT OF ANY MONETARY
CONSIDERATION PROVIDED IN A SETTLEMENT.
3. WHOEVER ENFORCES OR ATTEMPTS TO ENFORCE A WAIVER DEEMED UNCONSCION-
ABLE, VOID OR UNENFORCEABLE UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE LIABLE FOR
REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS.
4. NO PERSON OR EMPLOYER SHALL TAKE ANY RETALIATORY ACTION, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FAILURE TO HIRE, DISCHARGE, SUSPENSION, DEMOTION,
DISCRIMINATION IN THE TERMS, CONDITIONS OR PRIVILEGES OF EMPLOYMENT, OR
OTHER ADVERSE ACTION, AGAINST A PERSON, BECAUSE THE PERSON DOES NOT
ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT THAT CONTAINS A WAIVER DEEMED UNCON-
SCIONABLE, VOID OR UNENFORCEABLE UNDER THIS SECTION.
5. A PERSON AGGRIEVED OF A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION MAY, WITHIN THREE
YEARS AFTER THE VIOLATION, INSTITUTE AND PROSECUTE IN SUCH PERSON'S OWN
NAME AND ON SUCH PERSON'S OWN BEHALF A CIVIL ACTION FOR TORTS REMEDIES,
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, AND THE COSTS OF LITIGATION AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S
FEES. THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE
EXCLUSIVE AND SHALL NOT PREEMPT OTHER PROCEDURES AND REMEDIES AVAILABLE
UNDER OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS.
§ 2. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdi-
vision, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such
invalid provisions had not been included herein.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all
contracts entered into, renewed, modified or amended on or after such
date.