As recently reported in one of our client alerts, the New York State Human Rights Law has been amended to bar employers from engaging in “discriminatory practices” against unpaid interns. The client alert defines “unpaid interns” and enumerates the now-prohibited practices against such individuals.

School districts that engage such interns should review their practices and policies to ensure that protections from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are extended to unpaid interns. Also, any complaints of “discriminatory practices” by interns or concerning interns should be handled in the same manner as complaints involving employees.

Emina Poricanin is a senior associate in the Labor & Employment Law Practice at Hodgson Russ LLP. You can reach her at .