Young Joins Colleagues To Pass Landmark Legislation Ensuring Women's Equality

 

ALBANY – Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) today joined her colleagues in the Senate to unanimously pass an historic package of legislation known as the Women’s Equality Agenda. The legislation includes critical provisions like equal pay for equal work, protections for women against discrimination, and improved safety mechanisms for victims of domestic violence.

 

“Promoting an agenda of equality has been the Senate’s mission for three years now and today we have taken a monumental step forward,” said Senator Young. “Equal pay in the workplace, strengthening anti-discrimination laws, and providing victims of domestic violence greater protections are issues that I hear about every day from residents across our community. Today, New York becomes an even better place for women to live, work and raise a family. I am proud to join my colleagues to pass this landmark series of legislation that will ensure a brighter future, full of even greater opportunities for our mothers, sisters and daughters.”

 

The Women’s Equality Agenda includes eight pieces of legislation that address numerous inequalities faced by New York’s women. The plan includes provisions to:

· Ensure equal pay for equal work (S.1);

· Stop sexual harassment in the workplace (S.2);

· Allow recovery of attorney’s fees in successful sex discrimination cases (S.3).

· Prohibit workplace discrimination because of family status (S.4);

· Protect domestic violence victims from housing discrimination (S.5);

· Allow abuse victims to electronically file orders of protection (S.6):

· Toughen human trafficking laws and protect victims (S.7); and

· End workplace pregnancy discrimination (S.8);

Senate bill 6, which would establish a pilot program to allow victims of domestic violence to file for temporary orders of protection through electronic submission, is sponsored by Senator Young.

 

“Domestic violence victims have already been victimized enough. Allowing a victim to submit a request for a temporary order of protection electronically will encourage them to take advantage of this tremendous security tool without facing the potential for further threats or intimidation from their abuser. Often women can feel trapped by their abusers and they may sometimes be unable to attend court proceedings in person without further risking their lives. Eliminating the potential for additional threats or intimidation is critical in enabling victims to become survivors,” continued Senator Young.