On August 3, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S6874-A/ A8903-A), which explicitly granted the Department of State the authority to discipline real estate professionals found to have violated provisions of the state Human Rights Law by revoking or suspending their license. This legislation followed a November 17, 2019 Newsday report that provided evidence suggesting real estate agents on Long Island imposed unequal conditions and steered clients toward certain neighborhoods depending on their perceived race or ethnicity.
The Governor’s office noted this legislation was in line with the Fair Housing Matters NY initiative of 2015. This initiative has the stated purpose of soliciting input from community leaders, nonprofit organizations, housing professionals and residents regarding housing choice and access to housing opportunity. Also announced was the launching of a comprehensive social media campaign and housing discrimination hotline to raise awareness.
LAW OF THE LAND 
Leave a comment