This week, the New York State Senate passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) (S.1047). The Assembly long had passed GENDA. It is expected to reach the governor’s desk soon. Once signed into law by the governor (who has expressed his public support), the statute will prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression and adds transgender New Yorkers to those protected by the state’s Hate Crimes Law.
The Senate also passed legislation prohibiting mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with a patient under the age of 18 years.
Once GENDA becomes law, which is likely to be very soon, employers are well advised to keep this on their radar and revisit policies and procedures to ensure they conform to the law. The attorneys at The Coppola Firm are available to help.
