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Bill > A01402

NY A01402

Provides a civil action for deprivation of rights which is caused by any person or public entity.

summary

Introduced
01/09/2025
In Committee
01/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 General Assembly

Bill Summary

AN ACT to amend the civil rights law, in relation to providing a civil action for deprivation of rights

AI Summary

This bill creates a new section in New York's civil rights law that allows individuals and the state Attorney General to bring civil actions against persons or public entities that deprive someone of their constitutional or legal rights. The bill enables individuals to sue for legal or equitable relief if their rights have been violated, and it mandates that courts award reasonable attorney fees to prevailing plaintiffs, including those whose legal action prompted a change in the defendant's conduct. The bill removes many traditional legal defenses, such as good faith or lack of clear legal precedent, and specifies that public entities must indemnify their employees for liability under this law. Importantly, the bill defines "public entity" broadly to include state and local government bodies and any private entities engaging in state action. The law provides a three-year statute of limitations for filing such actions and explicitly allows these cases to be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction. This legislation significantly expands legal recourse for individuals whose rights have been violated by public entities or their employees, making it easier to seek justice and potentially deterring future rights violations.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (47)

Pamela Hunter (D)*,  George Alvarez (D),  Khaleel Anderson (D),  Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D),  Alex Bores (D),  Noah Burroughs (D),  Robert Carroll (D),  Sarah Clark (D),  Vivian Cook (D),  Catalina Cruz (D),  Brian Cunningham (D),  Maritza Davila (D),  Manny De Los Santos (D),  Jeffrey Dinowitz (D),  Harvey Epstein (D),  Emily Gallagher (D),  Eddie Gibbs (D),  Deborah Glick (D),  Jessica González-Rojas (D),  Andrew Hevesi (D),  Larinda Hooks (D),  Alicia Hyndman (D),  Chantel Jackson (D),  Anna Kelles (D),  Ron Kim (D),  Grace Lee (D),  Dana Levenberg (D),  Nikki Lucas (D),  Zohran Mamdani (D),  Demond Meeks (D),  Marcela Mitaynes (D),  Steven Raga (D),  Phil Ramos (D),  Karines Reyes (D),  Jon Rivera (D),  Linda Rosenthal (D),  Rebecca Seawright (D),  Sarahana Shrestha (D),  Jo Anne Simon (D),  Tony Simone (D),  Phara Souffrant Forrest (D),  Phil Steck (D),  Yudelka Tapia (D),  Al Taylor (D),  Claire Valdez (D),  Latrice Walker (D),  Stefani Zinerman (D), 

Last Action

referred to judiciary (on 01/09/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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