New York Assembly Bill A02139

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Refer: 1/15/25
• Report Pass: 6/5/25
• Refer: 6/5/25
• Report Pass: 6/9/25
• Refer: 6/9/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Requires state agencies and courts to take into consideration the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition and contemporary examples of antisemitism when reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any non-criminal or criminal law, rule, or policy prohibiting discriminatory acts.

Summary

A02139, the “Honoring Our Pledge to Eliminate Antisemitism (HOPE) act,” would add a new section to the New York Civil Rights Law directing state agencies to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, along with its contemporary examples, when reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether discriminatory conduct occurred. The bill states that this definition should be considered in determining whether an alleged act was motivated by antisemitic discriminatory intent, including in claims under the state’s human rights law. The bill also requires state agencies to apply the same legal standard used for comparable discrimination claims under New York law and to use the IHRA definition as an educational tool in anti-bias and discrimination training for state personnel. It includes legislative findings emphasizing protection for people of Jewish faith, heritage, or identity, while also stating that the measure is not intended to infringe on First Amendment or state constitutional free speech rights. The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would amend the Civil Rights Law by creating section 79-r and would affect how state agencies evaluate discrimination complaints, investigations, and training related to antisemitism. It would not create a separate criminal offense, but it would influence administrative and legal decision-making across state agencies, including matters arising under Executive Law article 15 and other anti-discrimination rules or policies. The bill would also standardize the use of the IHRA definition in state personnel training.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong committee support, with unanimous favorable votes in both the Assembly Governmental Operations Committee and the Assembly Codes Committee. That suggests broad legislative backing at the committee level and little recorded opposition in the available materials. The bill’s stated purpose of combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish New Yorkers appears to have been received positively in committee.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the use of the IHRA definition and its examples in state decision-making. Supporters view it as a tool to identify antisemitic discrimination more consistently, while critics of similar measures often argue that the IHRA examples can blur the line between antisemitism and protected political speech, especially speech concerning Israel or Zionism. The bill attempts to address that concern by expressly disclaiming any intent to limit First Amendment or state free speech protections, but the balance between anti-discrimination enforcement and speech rights remains the central issue.