If enacted, law breakers won't be able to hide behind non-disclosure clauses
“Nondisclosure agreements are gag orders that silence victims and whistleblowers. No one should be legally required to stay silent about abuses they’ve suffered or witnessed at work. Requiring NDAs like that as a condition of employment is, in itself, an abuse because it’s a requirement that employees sign away their own civil rights,” said Representative Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett).
“It’s also a disservice to the public, because it’s aimed at helping employers prevent public knowledge of questionable or even illegal actions they may undertake. That’s really point of the type of NDAs we are prohibiting — the ones that prioritize the employer’s image and bottom line above the civil rights of employees or the right of the public to know about illegal actions.”
The legislation (2022-H 7905A) forbids employers from requiring as a condition
of employment any nondisclosure or nondisparagement agreement regarding alleged
violations of civil rights as a condition of employment. The bill also voids
any contract such provision already in place.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Alana M.
DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) is sponsoring companion
legislation (2022-S 2124).
The
House bill is cosponsored by Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick), House
Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert E. Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown), Rep.
Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61,
Pawtucket), Rep. Michelle E. McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little
Compton), Rep. José Batista (D-Dist. 12, Providence), Rep. Susan R. Donovan
(D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell (D-Dist. 5,
Providence) and Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence).
