New York State recently passed legislation requiring all employers to conduct sexual harassment prevention training for their employees and establish a sexual harassment prevention policy. The law is effective October 9, 2018. Recent guidance issued by the Department of Labor clarified that all employers must train their employees between October 9, 2018 and January 1, 2019 and on an annual basis thereafter. In addition, all new employees must be trained within thirty (30) days of their start date.

"All Employers" required to conduct sexual harassment prevention training and establish sexual harassment prevention policies include both private and public employers. Therefore, state and local governments and agencies, towns, police departments, fire departments, school districts and all other public employers must comply with these new regulations.