Seawright, Dickens, Gonzalez-Rojas, Ardila, Brown K
MLTSPNSR
Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9131B
SPONSOR: Burdick TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor
to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employ-
ers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
Relates to directing the New York State Department of Labor to establish
a voluntary training and certification program for employers that have
taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1 subdivision (a) directs the New York State Department of Labor
to establish a voluntary training and. certification program for employ-
ers that have taken the Neurodiversity Pledge.
Section 1 subdivision (b) directs the Department of Labor to develop and
manage the program and establishes the key components and topics to be
included in the training program.
Section 2 establishes the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
B-print amendments provide technical changes and specify that certif-
ication would be awarded to the employer following completion of the
training program. The amendments also allow the Department of Labor to
consult with other groups as deemed necessary in the development of the
program.
JUSTIFICATION::
Recently new laws have been enacted and initiatives launched to improve
the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities and to enhance their-employ-
ment opportunities. Both the public and private sector are engaged in
these efforts. The success of implementation of these laws and initi-
atives depend in large measure upon neurodiversity training and neurodi-
verse workforce hiring.
The Department of Labor is well-positioned to lead a voluntary program
for businesses that pledge to undertake-neurodiversity training for
their employees and adopt best practices for a neurodiverse workforce.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
This is a new bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9131--B
IN ASSEMBLY
February 8, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BURDICK, SEAWRIGHT, DICKENS, GONZALEZ-ROJAS,
ARDILA, K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
-- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended
and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee
AN ACT in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor
to establish a voluntary training and certification program for
employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. a. The New York State Department of Labor, in consultation
2 with the Office of Employee Relations, the Office for People with Devel-
3 opmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, the Justice Center
4 for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the Council on Develop-
5 mental Disabilities, Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vo-
6 cational Rehabilitation (ACCESS-VR), the Office of the Chief Disability
7 Officer, and any other relevant groups as deemed necessary, shall estab-
8 lish a voluntary training program and certification for employers, enti-
9 tled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge, to support an inclusive work-
10 place and the advantages of a neurodiverse workforce. Such certification
11 shall be awarded upon completion of the training program. The training
12 program shall promote techniques and strategies employers can implement
13 to increase neurodiversity in the workplace.
14 b. The Department of Labor shall develop an online or virtual training
15 program for employers which shall address key topics including:
16 (i) education and instruction on workplace sensitivity regarding
17 neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-
18 deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other conditions;
19 (ii) recognition of the advantages of neurodiversity and a neuroinclu-
20 sive workforce and workplace which promotes success through creativity
21 and innovation;
22 (iii) strategies for creating an inclusive and supportive interview
23 process;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14460-04-4
A. 9131--B 2
1 (iv) recommendation on workplace inclusion and accessibility for
2 neurodiverse individuals;
3 (v) providing reasonable accommodations to neurodiverse employees;
4 (vi) website accessibility; and
5 (vii) corporate partnership training for employers for the purposes of
6 qualifying for preferred source procurement status.
7 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
8 have become a law.
