Bill > A00221

This bill establishes a new legal cause of action in New York's civil rights law that allows individuals to sue someone who intentionally invades their privacy in a way that would be considered highly offensive to a reasonable person. The proposed law creates a broad protection for personal privacy, covering both physical and non-physical intrusions into an individual's personal solitude, private affairs, or personal concerns. If a person successfully brings such a lawsuit, the court may award various types of damages, including injunctive relief (a court order to stop certain behavior), punitive damages (meant to punish the offender), compensatory damages (to make up for harm suffered), and reasonable legal costs and attorney's fees. Importantly, the law specifies that the ability to sue does not depend on whether the invasion of privacy was publicized, meaning a person can seek legal remedy even if the intrusion remained private. The bill would go into effect 90 days after becoming law, providing a new legal tool for individuals to protect their personal privacy and seek recourse against invasive behavior.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A221