Bill > A01738

This bill enacts the "Vicarious Liability for Housing Discrimination Act of 2025", which introduces a new legal standard for holding property owners and managers responsible for discriminatory actions by their agents or employees. Specifically, the bill amends the New York Executive Law by adding a provision that makes a person automatically liable for discriminatory practices in housing sales, rentals, or leases committed by their agents or employees, regardless of whether the owner or manager was aware of, approved, or encouraged such discriminatory conduct. This means that if an agent or employee engages in housing discrimination (such as refusing to rent to someone based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics), the property owner can be held legally responsible even if they did not directly participate in or know about the discriminatory act. The standard for liability is based on agency law principles, which recognize that an employer can be held accountable for the actions of their representatives. The bill is designed to provide stronger protections against housing discrimination and to incentivize property owners to more carefully monitor and train their agents and employees to prevent discriminatory practices.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1738