A bill that sharpens anti-housing discrimination laws in New York was approved on Monday by Governor Andrew Cuomo. 

The bill signed into law by Cuomo would give the New York Department of State the explicit authority to penalize real estate agents who are found to have violated the state's housing discrimination laws by revoking or suspending their licneses or levying a fine. 

"We have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind in New York and the sheer scope and breadth of the unscrupulous and discriminatory real estate practices uncovered on Long Island is repugnant to who we are," Governor Cuomo said. "While the federal government is focused on gutting fair housing regulations that have helped so many Americans, we are vastly expanding the State's ability to crack down on unethical real estate agents and protect hard-working New Yorkers looking for a community to call home."

The measure was the product of a Newsday investigation that included undercover reporting, finding realotrs on Long Island were discriminating against potential homebuyers of color. The findings showed realtors steered clients toward neighborhoods based on their race or ethnicity. 

"This law will provide teeth to the enforcement of New York's Human Rights Law and ensure that real estate agents cannot engage in racist practices like 'steering; that deny families the dignity of choosing their home and neighborhood," said Sen. Jim Gaughran, a Democratic sponsor of the measure.