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A 10835

Prohibits the impersonation of an employee organization or an employee representative

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Harry Bronson and 8 co-sponsors

Prohibits falsely impersonating an employee organization or its representative, with AG-enforced remedies and penalties to deter deceptive communications.

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Bill Summary · A 10835

Bill Summary: A.10835-A (2025-2026) – Prohibits the impersonation of an employee organization or an employee representative

Basic information

  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Bill type: Assembly bill
  • Title: Prohibits the impersonation of an employee organization or an employee representative
  • Sponsor: Assembly Member Griffin (Co-sponsors: Judy Griffin, Angelo Santabarbara)
  • Status: Amended and recommitted to the Committee on Governmental Employees (as of April 22, 2026); introduced April 1, 2026
  • Effective date: Immediate

Purpose and intent

The bill creates a targeted prohibition against falsely impersonating an employee organization or an employee organization representative. Its goal is to protect employees and employee organizations from deception, fraud, misrepresentation, and other harms stemming from unauthorized communications that appear to be endorsed or issued by the organization or its designated representatives.

Key provisions and changes

  1. New statute added: Civil Service Law § 216

    • Establishes definitions:
      • Falsely impersonate an employee organization or representative: Using communications (verbal, written, or electronic) that purport to be authorized or approved by the employee organization/representative but are not, with the intent to deceive and harm the recipient or the organization. This includes fraud, misrepresentation, material omission, or other deception.
      • Employee organization representative: A person authorized by the employee organization, per its internal rules, to act on its behalf.
    • Prohibition: No person may falsely impersonate an employee organization or its representative.

  2. Enforcement and remedies

    • Attorney General enforcement: If the AG believes, based on satisfactory evidence, that someone has engaged or intends to engage in false impersonation, the AG may bring an action to enjoin the unlawful acts or practices. Preliminary relief can be sought under CPLR Article 63.
    • Damages and penalties: In addition to other damages, a person found in violation is subject to a fine of $1,000 per incident. Courts may reduce the total fine if it’s disproportionate to the defendant’s conduct.
    • Scope of enforcement: The AG may sue individuals or entities inside or outside New York if they disseminate deceptive communications in the state.
    • Procedural tools: The AG is authorized to take proof, determine relevant facts, and issue subpoenas as provided by the CPLR to support the action.

  3. Public interest and due process measures

    • The bill allows for emergency or preliminary relief and provides processes for investigation and fact-finding by the AG.

  4. Internal governance protection for employee organizations

    • Employee organizations must have sole authority, under their internal governance, to identify and designate their employee organization representatives. This helps prevent third-party impersonation and clarifies who can speak on behalf of the organization.

Who and what would be affected

  • Affected parties: Any person, organization, firm, corporation, company, partnership, association, or agent/employee thereof that engages in false impersonation of an employee organization or its representative.
  • Employee organizations and their members: The bill provides protection from deceptive communications and sets a clear standard for who can authorize communications on behalf of the organization.
  • State enforcement: The New York Attorney General’s office gains a new enforcement mechanism with specified penalties and the authority to seek injunctive relief, subpoenas, and related procedures.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Immediate effect upon enactment (as indicated: “takes effect immediately”).
  • Current status shows amendments and recommittal to the Governmental Employees Committee, suggesting potential refinements before final passage.

Practical impact

  • Deters and punishes misrepresentation claiming to be from an employee organization or its designated representative.
  • Provides a clear enforcement pathway for victims and the AG, including possible per-incident fines and injunctive relief.
  • Encourages employee organizations to clearly designate authorized representatives to prevent fraud and protect members from manipulative communications.

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

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