PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following action:
NOTICE OF ADOPTION - I.D. No. HRT-24-26-00008-A Filing No. 876 Filing Date: 2026-09-17 Effective Date: 2026-10-07.
Action taken: Amendment of sections 465.7, 465.10, 465.11, 465.12, 465.15, 465.16 and 465.17 of Title 9 NYCRR. Statutory authority: Executive Law, section 295(5).
Pursuant to the provisions of the New York State Administrative Procedure Act, notice is hereby given of the following action:
Subject: Hearing and settlement procedures.
Purpose: To revise hearing and settlement procedures to reflect current practice and promote equitable efficiency.
Text or summary was published in the June 17, 2026 issue of the Register, I.D. No. HRT-24-26-00008-P.
Final rule as compared with last published rule:
No changes. Text of rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from: Jeffrey Shalke, Division of Human Rights, 350 Main St., 10th Fl., Suite 1000B, Buffalo, New York 14202, (716) 847-3977, email: rulemaking@dhr.ny.gov
Initial Review of Rule:
As a rule that does not require a RFA, RAFA or JIS, this rule will be initially reviewed in the calendar year 2031, which is no later than the 5th year after the year in which this rule is being adopted.
Assessment of Public Comment:
A Notice of Rule Making was published in the State Register on June 17, 2026. The Division of Human Rights (Division) received one (1) comment associated with the rule making during the public comment period. The comment noted two concerns regarding the proposed amendments, which are summarized below. The Division’s response is provided for each concern.
Comment: The proposed amended regulations do not create a meaningful discovery dispute resolution process. Litigants are still required to commence a special proceeding in New York State Supreme Court to enforce subpoenas or compel disclosure.
Response: Special proceedings in New York State Supreme Court are not the sole option for enforcing subpoenas or compelling disclosure in a Division action. New York Executive Law §295(7) provides the Division NYS Register/October 7, 2026 Rule Making Activities 13 with the general authority to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, and require the production of documents. More specifically, under 9 NYCRR §465.12(f)(5) and (8), the administrative law judge has the power to call witnesses and direct the production of documents/evidentiary matters at hearing. Additionally, under 9 NYCRR §465.12(f)(1) the administrative law judge has authority to rule upon all motions and objections, including those involving discovery.
Comment: The proposed amended regulations do not expressly state that Division settlements and awards must be assessed by reference to comparable state and federal case law.
Response: After consideration, the Division determined it is not necessary to expressly state in the amended regulations that Division settlements and awards must be assessed by reference to comparable state and federal case law. All orders and awards issued or approved by the Commissioner will continue to conform to precedential case law.