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Bill

A 1695

Authorizes the awarding of punitive damages to persons aggrieved by sexual harassment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

Bill A1695 would allow punitive damages for sexual harassment victims, expanding remedies; final rules, caps, and scope depend on text, affecting claimants and employers.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · A 1695

Summary of Bill A 1695 — Authorizes the awarding of punitive damages to persons aggrieved by sexual harassment

Overview

Bill A 1695 seeks to authorize punitive damages for individuals who are aggrieved by sexual harassment. The bill is currently in committee stages, having been referred to the Governmental Operations committee on January 14, 2025. The primary sponsor is Linda Rosenthal.

What the bill would do

  • Establish or expand the availability of punitive damages as a remedy for victims of sexual harassment.
  • The exact mechanics (who can sue, in which contexts, allowable damages, and procedural requirements) are not specified in the provided summary.

Key provisions (status of the text provided)

  • Text details, including standards for awarding punitive damages (e.g., proof burden, malice or reckless disregard, proportionality), caps, who qualifies as a claimant, applicable contexts (employment, housing, education, etc.), and defenses, are not included in the information provided.
  • Without the bill’s full text, it is unclear whether the punitive damages would apply in civil actions only, or in other proceedings as well; whether caps or tiers exist; and how these damages would interact with existing compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, or statutory limits.

Who would be affected

  • “Persons aggrieved by sexual harassment.” The exact scope (e.g., employees, applicants, contractors, students, or others) is not clarified in the available information. If enacted, the measure would influence plaintiffs pursuing sexual harassment claims and potentially the behavior of employers and other entities subject to such claims.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 14, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Governmental Operations committee.
  • Legislative actions logged: two identical entries on 2025-01-14 showing referral to the same committee (likely a clerical duplication in the record).
  • Related bills from prior sessions: A 11358, A 1243, A 500, A 1788 (listed as related).

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Linda Rosenthal.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted, the bill could increase remedies available to sexual harassment victims by adding or expanding punitive damages.
  • Potential implications for employers and other respondents, including risk of higher damages and incentives to prevent harassment.
  • Economic and administrative impacts would depend on the final text, including any caps, standards of proof, and procedural requirements.
  • Possible interplay with existing civil liability frameworks, including caps on damages, attorney’s fees, and limitations on punitive damages in other contexts.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor for the full text release and committee hearing schedules in Governmental Operations to understand the exact standards, caps (if any), and scope.
  • Review any amendments or companion bills (A 11358, A 1243, A 500, A 1788) for related provisions or prior legislative intent.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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