Which US states require sexual harassment prevention training?
By Bodhih Training Solutions, Bengaluru · UpdatedThe short answer
Six states require private employers to provide sexual harassment prevention training: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine and New York. New York and Illinois require it every year for all employers. California requires it every two years for employers with five or more employees: one hour for nonsupervisory staff and two hours for supervisors. Some cities, such as New York City and Chicago, add rules.
What does each state require?
Summary from state agencies and employment-law publications; confirm details on the state agency page before you rely on them.
| State | Who must train | How much and how often |
|---|---|---|
| California | Employers with 5+ employees | 1 hour (nonsupervisory) and 2 hours (supervisors) every two years; within six months of hire or promotion |
| New York | All employers | Annual, interactive training meeting state minimum standards |
| Illinois | All employers | Annual training meeting state minimum standards |
| Connecticut | Employers with 3+ employees | 2 hours within six months of hire |
| Delaware | Employers with 50+ employees | Employees within one year of hire; supervisors have additional training |
| Maine | Employers with 15+ employees | New employees within one year of starting |
Are there free state-provided courses?
Yes, in several states. The California Civil Rights Department offers free online trainings for supervisors and nonsupervisory employees that satisfy its requirement, and New York and Illinois publish model training programs. Many employers use these and record completion in their LMS.
How should you track harassment training?
Whatever course you use, keep records you can produce on request.
- Assign training automatically by state and role when someone joins or is promoted.
- Set due dates relative to hire or promotion date.
- Schedule recertification (one year or two years) automatically.
- Keep completion certificates with date, course name and hours.
- Report overdue people to managers and HR every week.
Can a general training toolkit meet a state requirement?
Not by itself. State laws specify content, interactivity and sometimes length. Bodhih's Respect at Work trainer toolkit ($29) is a general anti-harassment and bullying workshop that trainers adapt; for a state mandate, check the content against that state's minimum standards or use the state's model program, and track completion in your LMS.
Related reading
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-12. Laws and prices change; confirm on the official page before you rely on a figure.
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Questions people ask next
Is harassment training required by federal law?
No federal law requires it for all private employers, but the EEOC encourages it and courts consider it when judging an employer's response to harassment.
Does California training have to be two hours for supervisors?
Yes: two hours for supervisors and one hour for nonsupervisory employees, every two years, for employers with five or more employees.
Do remote employees count?
State rules usually apply to employees working in the state. Check each state's guidance for remote staff.
Can Bodhih LMS track state-by-state training?
Yes. Use groups by state, automations for due dates and recertification, and scheduled reports.
Is this legal advice?
No. It summarizes public sources as of the date shown. Confirm with the state agency or employment counsel.