Bill > A07371

This bill proposes to add a new section to New York's executive law that waives the state's Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity (legal protection that typically prevents states from being sued without their consent) for certain federal civil rights violations. Specifically, the bill creates a mechanism for individuals to sue the state for discrimination under several key federal laws, including the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments, and the Civil Rights Act. If a violation occurs, a person can seek damages of at least $4,000, plus compensation for monetary losses, emotional pain, suffering, and attorney's fees. The bill allows courts to grant various forms of relief, such as injunctions and declaratory judgments, and ensures that claims can be filed in any court with appropriate jurisdiction. By explicitly ratifying a waiver of sovereign immunity, the bill makes it easier for individuals to pursue legal action against the state for civil rights violations, thereby providing a stronger legal recourse for those who experience discrimination in state-funded programs or activities.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7371