Corporate Update: The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act

On Dec. 17, New York state enacted the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, or SONDA. The act, which takes effect on Jan. 17, amends the New York State Human Rights Law to prohibit discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education and credit.1 In enacting SONDA, New York becomes the 13th state to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the private sector, joining California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.