N.Y. Civil Rights Law Section 79-N
Bias-related violence or intimidation

  • civil remedy

1.

The following definitions are applicable to this section:

(a)

The term “disability” means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

(b)

The term “age” means sixty years of age or more.

(c)

The term “sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.

(d)

The term “gender” means a person’s actual or perceived sex and shall include a person’s gender identity or expression.

2.

Any person who intentionally selects a person or property for harm or causes damage to the property of another or causes physical injury or death to another, or subjects a person to conduct that would constitute harassment under section 240.25 of the penal law, or summons a police officer or peace officer without reason to suspect a violation of the penal law, any other criminal conduct, or an imminent threat to a person or property, in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct, or any person who aids or incites any such conduct, shall be liable, in a civil action or proceeding maintained by such individual or group of individuals, for injunctive relief, damages, or any other appropriate relief in law or equity. If it shall appear to the satisfaction of the court or justice that the respondent has, in fact, violated this section, an injunction may be issued by such court or justice, enjoining and restraining any further violation, without requiring proof that any person has, in fact, been injured or damaged thereby. For the purposes of this subdivision, a person lacks reason to suspect a violation of the penal law, any other criminal conduct, or an imminent threat to a person or property where a reasonable person would not suspect such violation, conduct, or threat.

3.

In addition to the remedies in subdivision two of this section, whenever there shall be a violation of this section by any person or by any firm, partnership, association, or corporation, an application may be made by the attorney general in the name of the people of the state of New York to a court or justice having jurisdiction for an injunction to enjoin and restrain the continuance of such activity, and to seek damages, or any other appropriate relief in law or equity. In connection with any such application, the attorney general is authorized to take proof and determine the relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil practice law and rules.

4.

In any such action or proceeding, the court, in its discretion, may allow the party commencing such action or proceeding, if such party prevails, reasonable attorneys’ fees as part of the costs.

5.

In addition to the remedies provided in subdivisions two and three of this section, a court may additionally impose a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each violation of this section. * NB There are 2 § 79-n’s

Source: Section 79-N — Bias-related violence or intimidation; civil remedy, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/CVR/79-N (updated Jun. 10, 2022; accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

70
Vexatious suits
70–A
Actions involving public petition and participation
70–B
Unlawful interference with protected rights
71
Damages in action for suing in name of another
72
Term of imprisonment of civil prisoner
73
Code of fair procedure for investigating agencies
74
Privileges in action for libel
75
Defamation by radio or television
76
Action for libel: evidence, separate verdicts
76–A
Actions involving public petition and participation
77
Special damages in action for slander of a woman
78
Mitigating circumstances in action for libel or slander
79
Forfeiture of office and suspension of civil rights
79–A
Consequence of sentence to imprisonment for life
79–B
Forfeiture of property on conviction abolished
79–C
Convict protected by law
79–D
Creditor of convict
79–E
Right to breast feed
79–F
Liability for acts of persons assisting police officers
79–G
Filing of certificates of honorable discharge with county clerks
79–H
Special provisions relating to persons employed by, or connected with, news media
79–I
Discrimination against person who refuses to perform certain act prohibited
79–J
Confidentiality of records in multi-state information system
79–K
Civil immunity for certain persons assisting in emergency situations
79–L
Confidentiality of records of genetic tests
79–M
Criminal interference with health care services, religious worship, funeral, burial or memorial service
79–N
Bias-related violence or intimidation
79–N*2
Funeral or bereavement leave
79–O
Closed captioning in places of public accommodation, resort or amusement
79–P
Recording certain activities
79–P*2
Gender neutral single-occupancy bathroom facilities
79–Q
Collection of gender or sex designation information by state agencies

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

Last modified:
Jun. 10, 2022

§ 79-N’s source at nysenate​.gov

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