New York #MeToo Law Limits Damages for Nondisclosure Violations

A new law in New York bars nondisclosure agreements that require parties to pay liquidated damages if they later speak out about sexual harassment and other workplace abuse.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed the bill (SB 4516) late Friday.

Allowing liquidated damages in nondisclosure agreements means plaintiffs who settle their sexual harassment claims face higher penalties for speaking out later, which can be a source of leverage for the defendants, said Erica Vladimer, an attorney and co-founder of the Sexual Harassment Working Group, comprised of former legislative staffers who advocate against sexual abuse in state government.

The new ...