NY Says ‘MeToo’ to Banning Secrecy in Settlement Agreements

Things are about to change for parties settling sexual harassment claims in the Empire state.

The recently signed $168 billion state budget measure added several anti-sexual harassment protections, including a limit on the use of nondisclosure agreements. In the age of #MeToo, the newly implemented state law places the right of disclosure firmly in the hands of the individual who raises a complaint.

The impact of the nondisclosure clause won’t just change settlements in sexual harassment claims. It will impact “pretty much all separation agreements,” Randi May, a partner at Hoguet Newman Regal & Kenney, told Bloomberg Law. “Everyone’s boilerplate ...