New York Governor David Paterson signed into law this month the Broadcast Employees Freedom to Work Act. The new law prohibits certain restrictions on broadcast employees that had placed a hardship on professionals in the industry by limiting their flexibility to be hired after leaving a company. The law bans contract provisions that condition employment based on certain types of noncompete agreements such as not allowing broadcasters to take another job in a particular region, with a competitor in the same market, or within a certain period of time.

The new law would allow anchors, reporters, and others in the industry to change jobs within their current markets. The law protects the rights of employees, provides those employees with an opportunity to earn a livelihood and grow in their profession, and is a boon to innovation and economic growth.

This is a good law and Virginia should follow New York’s lead.