Recent legislation revising the Real Estate Property Law regarding the qualifying education requirements for real estate brokers was recently adopted.  Effective September 21, 2022, all individuals applying for a real estate broker license must complete two hours of instruction pertaining to cultural competency. 

In order to satisfy the new education requirements, broker applicants will be allowed to submit proof of completing a 2-hour continuing education course on cultural competency.

Please note: Effective December 21 ,2022, the 45-hour broker course will increase to 75 hours and includes cultural competency training.

Lieb School offers the 2 hour cultural competency course. You can register for it here. 

On September 17, 2022, President Biden signed the Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022. 

The Act completely eliminates the statute of limitations for minor victims to file a civil action for a number of federal sex offenses, including sex trafficking, forced labor, sexual abuse and child pornography. By amending Title 18 of the United States Code, the part that deals with federal crimes and criminal procedure, this Act removes all former time restrictions for specified offenses relating to minors.  

Previously, minor victims seeking to file federal civil claims for damages had until their 28th birthday, or until 10 years after the violation or injury was discovered. These restraints presented a substantial barrier for many victims, who often delay in reporting or taking legal action because of the time it takes to process their trauma. Now, the doors of justice are wide open for minor victims to pursue claims and hold their abusers accountable. 

Similar measures have been taken at the state level as well. For example, in New York, the Child Victims Act begins the statute of limitations for child sex abuse crimes when the child turns 23 for criminal proceedings, and the filing of a civil action before a toddler, pre-teen, or teenage victim’s 55th birthday. 

It's becoming clear that the law is evolving favorably for victims of abuse. Perhaps knowing that the law is on their side will provide survivors with the empowerment that they need to carry on. 

Did you know that Title VII employment discrimination cases can happen even if the perpetrator is merely the 6-year-old grandson of the owner?

That's the lesson from Chapman v. Oakland Living Center, which is a case against an assisted living facility where the owner’s 6-year-old grandson repeatedly used the n-word against a black employee.

The problem for the employer was - why didn't anyone stop him? The boy’s grandfather either knew or should have known about the conduct and failed to sufficiently respond. Yes, there was a spanking and an unsuccessful attempted to elicit an apology, but that wasn't enough.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) published a notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments to rescind and replace “Joint Employer Status Under the National Labor Relations Act,” which took effect on April 27, 2020.

Importantly, the proposed regulation seeks to broaden whether an employee has two or more employers each of which must comply with the law and not engage in unfair labor practices without being exposed to tremendous liability. If you have been a victim where your employer has shut down your ability to organize and fight for wages, benefits, or hours worked, you are going to want to take a look at this proposal. It's also important for conglomerates and franchisors to study and comment.  

The proposed regulation focuses "on whether a [] joint employer possesses the authority to control or exercises the power to control particular employees' essential terms and conditions of employment." It "focuses on forms of reserved and indirect control that bear on employees' essential terms and conditions of employment." These "'essential terms and conditions of employment' will 'generally include, but are not limited to: wages, benefits, and other compensation; hours of work and scheduling; hiring and discharge; discipline; workplace health and safety; supervision; assignment; and work rules and directions governing the manner, means, or methods of work performance.'”

The big change is going back to before 2020 when the NLRB looked at reserved and indirect control in establishing joint employers and liability. 

The commenting period is through November 7, 2022 and can be made through http://www.regulations.gov.

Washington DC now has mandatory sexual harassment trainings from a 2018 law, the Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act.

Under the law, covered employers’ primary obligations include providing mandatory sexual harassment training to both business operators & tipped employees.

Other obligations require covered employers to report to the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) both their sexual harassment policy & all harassment complaints made to management from 2020 on. All requirements are set forth in OHR’s fact sheet on employee rights, which must be posted at places of employment. 

OHR has created a portal for employers to report their compliance with the mandates of the Act & employers will be watched - so tread carefully. 

If you were harassed or discriminated against, this law & its trainings are not the end of the story. You have a claim under Title VII & other federal & state laws. Know your rights & act because statutes of limitations, including a filing requirement with EEOC might otherwise curtail your rights. This is serious & damages can be outrageous.  

 

1. Hire a real estate broker who will provide virtual tour technology
2. Price 10% below comps in your market 
3. List "as is; no contingencies"
4. Hire an attorney to draft a real estate contract that includes the "as is; no contingencies" terms before you even get a buyer
5. Use a "time of the essence" closing date in your contract
6. Take a significant deposit (i.e., at least 10%) on contract signing
7. Set liquidated damages in the amount of the deposit plus reasonable attorneys' fees and costs in enforcing the contract (i.e., liquidated damages are set damages in case of breach of contract) 
8. Start emptying the house the moment that the contract is signed by the buyer
9. Be available for any access needs of the buyer
10. Be nice and courteous to your representatives and the buyer's representatives so that they prioritize your deal

-or- sell to an ibuyer platform and avoid all 10 steps.

More tips in our book, "10 Strategies to Purchase Property Post-Pandemic: The Ultimate Guide to Real Estate Investing". 

South Sudan diplomat accused of rape not yet facing charges, raising questions about diplomatic immunity. Attorney Andrew Lieb appears on CBS NY to answer questions.

 Baltimore Family Sues Sesame Place For Racial Discrimination. Analysis with Attorney Andrew Lieb.

It took until 8/17/2022 for NYS to realize that its real estate brokerage law, Article 12-a of the Real Property Law, was flawed. 

Until now, how could a saleswoman function in the state? After all, the statutory license was called a "Real Estate Salesman." 

Ironically, the advertising regulations were already up to date, at 19 NYCRR 175.25(c)(4), which required the use of the term "real estate salesperson." However, the actual statute was still in its 1927 form where the license was gender specific. Now, the term "salesman" is replaced with "salesperson" per S536A.

While you may think this is a ridiculous change and probably makes no difference, it's important for little girls to understand that all people can be anything and using male dominated terms is a macro dissuader to female participation in the workforce. So, good job New York State.