A new state law is meant to protect the identities of donors in New York who contribute money to organizations with charitable status by barring the disclosure of their names, addresses and telephone numbers. 

The law, signed late last week by Gov. Kathy Hochul, also addresses charitable groups that must file duplicative records with the sate Department of State and the Charities Bureau in the state attorney general's office. 

But the biggest change will be shielding the names of donors to groups with 501(c)(3) status, many of which are required to file their federal tax filing with state officials. 

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, would also bar the disclosure of individual contributions to the groups in addition to the names of the donors. The concern from lawmakers who backed the bill is the disclosure could lead some donors to not contribute any money.  

"If identifiable information is not redacted from public record, it is likely that potential donors who want to contribute to nonpolitical 501(c)(3) organizations but prefer to maintain their anonymity will be discouraged from donating altogether," the lawmakers wrote in a bill memo. 

The new law takes effect immediately.