BILL NUMBER: S426
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to authorizing the
commission on ethics and lobbying in government to provide a training
course concerning anti-sexual harassment training for lobbyists and
requiring lobbyists to complete the course annually
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require anti-sexual harassment training for lobbyists appearing
before members of the legislature.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Directs the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
to develop an anti-sexual harassment training curriculum required for
registered lobbyists. The curriculum shall include materials specific to
the lobbying and advocacy industry. Lobbyists who have not completed the
training by the required date will be prohibited from engaging in lobby-
ing activities.
Section 2: Requires registered lobbyists to complete the anti-sexual
harassment training course annually.
Section 3: Provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Department of Labor has long recognized the need for anti-harassment
training to help prevent hostile work environments. Annual training to
prevent sexual harassment is mandated for all legislators and legisla-
tive staff.
Lobbyists frequently work in close proximity to legislators, legislative
staff, and government officials, and they must register with the state
in order to conduct business before the New York State government. As a
condition of their registration, lobbyists should undergo annual anti-
sexual harassment training, similar to that required of the Legislature,
to ensure they uphold the standards expected in the NYS government.
This simple requirement for lobbyists will help protect legislators,
legislative employees, and lobbyists alike from harassment and miscon-
duct.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
05/13/24 REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
06/01/23 PASSED SENATE; REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
2022: THIRD READING
2021: PASSED SENATE
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to individuals
registered as lobbyists on and after January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S426: 1-d legislative law