New York Governor Kathy Hochul last week signed a series of bills into law that collectively seek to protect women and strengthen anti-sexual harassment laws the Empire State already has on the books. Two of the three bills she signed are directed at private employers while the third strengthens laws relating public sector employees. The first establishes a toll-free confidential hotline –effective July 14, 2022 – within the Division of Human Rights which is instructed to work in conjunction with pro bono legal services groups and attorneys experienced in assisting individuals registering sexual harassment complaints. The second bill, relevant to private employers, took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signing and amends the Human Rights law to expand the scope of what are to be considered as retaliatory actions. Under the new provisions, any disclosure of an employee’s personnel files after the employee has engaged in protected activity is presumed to be retaliatory. In addition, the law now empowers the state attorney general to commence legal actions if the AG believe an employer has or intends to violate this provision.