New York Expands Whistleblower Law to Shield Contractors

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed legislation expanding the state’s whistleblower law to extend protections to independent contractors and former employees who report dangerous or illegal business activities.

The measure (S.4394A/A.5144A) amends the state’s current law protecting employees who blow the whistle on wrongdoing, and enhances protections for private-sector employees. It changes the law’s definition of employee to include contractors and adds former employees, protecting them from retaliatory actions or threats that would adversely affect their current or future employment, or threats to contact immigration authorities.

The legislation also eliminates discrepancies in the current law, adding ...