Bill > A01081

This bill establishes a comprehensive civil rights legal mechanism that allows individuals to sue for violations of their constitutional and legal rights within New York State. The bill creates a new section in the civil rights law that enables citizens to bring legal actions against any person or entity that deprives them of their rights, with the state Supreme Court having jurisdiction over such cases. Key provisions include guaranteeing the right to a jury trial, mandating that prevailing parties (except the state) receive reasonable attorney's fees and expert fees, and explicitly waiving sovereign immunity for the state, its subdivisions, agencies, and municipal entities. The bill allows courts to consider federal civil rights law precedents (specifically 42 U.S.C §§ 1983 and 1988) when interpreting the law and ensures that state and local government entities can be held liable for constitutional violations committed by their representatives. Importantly, the law supplements existing legal remedies and provides a robust framework for protecting individual civil rights, with a specific exception that limits injunctive relief against judicial officers unless certain conditions are met. The law will take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1081