Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

New York Consolidated Laws, Civil Rights Law - CVR § 70-b. Unlawful interference with protected rights

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

1. For the purposes of this section, the term “legally protected health activity” shall have the same meaning as defined by section 570.17 of the criminal procedure law.

2. A claim of unlawful interference with protected rights is established under this section.  Such claim shall arise when a person demonstrates that they engaged in legally protected health activity that results in litigation or criminal charges brought against that person in any court in the United States or its territories.

3. Such claim shall arise when any person or entity commences an action in any court, in the United States or any of its territories, in which the allegations against the person, whether civil or criminal, involve legally protected health activity.

4. In a claim for unlawful interference with protected rights under this section:

(a) compensatory damages, as well as costs and attorneys' fees, including expert witness fees, shall be recoverable upon a demonstration of unlawful interference;  and

(b) additional damages of up to three times the amount of compensatory damages shall be recoverable upon an additional demonstration that the action against the plaintiff was commenced or continued for the purpose of harassing, intimidating, punishing or otherwise maliciously inhibiting the exercise of rights protected in New York, including but not limited to legally protected health activity.

5. Any action or proceeding brought pursuant to this section shall be commenced no later than six years after the date on which the claim under this section arises.

6. Nothing in this section shall affect or preclude the right of any party to any recovery otherwise authorized by common law, or by statute, law or rule.

7. An action under this section shall be brought in the Supreme Court of the state of New York.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New York Consolidated Laws, Civil Rights Law - CVR § 70-b. Unlawful interference with protected rights - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/civil-rights-law/cvr-sect-70-b/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard