New York Ban on Employee Noncompetes Heads to Hochul’s Desk

New York would ban employee noncompete agreements under legislation heading to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk, mirroring a broad pushback—including from two federal agencies—looking to rein in the employment restrictions.

The measure (A1278) is going to Hochul (D) for her review after passing the state Assembly on Tuesday. Its passage comes just a few weeks after Minnesota enacted a ban on most employee noncompetes as part of a sweeping labor budget bill that takes effect July 1.

Like the Minnesota law, New York’s noncompete ban would apply to contracts signed or modified after the law becomes effective. ...