Bill > S05503

This bill amends New York State's Executive Law to prohibit discrimination based on a person's height or weight in various areas of public life, including employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit transactions. The bill adds comprehensive definitions for "height" and "weight" that go beyond simple numerical measurements and include body proportions, shape, and subjective impressions of a person's physical appearance. Specifically, the legislation makes it unlawful for employers, housing providers, educational institutions, creditors, and other entities to discriminate against individuals based on their height or weight, with some exceptions for situations where specific height or weight requirements are mandated by federal law or are necessary for safety reasons. The bill provides that entities must reasonably attempt to accommodate individuals who do not meet specific height or weight criteria and allows for affirmative defenses when no reasonable alternative accommodations are possible. By expanding protected characteristics to include height and weight, the bill aims to prevent bias and discrimination based on physical appearance and provide more comprehensive civil rights protections for individuals in New York State. The law would take effect 180 days after becoming law, giving organizations time to adjust their policies and practices to comply with the new requirements.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5503