NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A33
SPONSOR: Burdick TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to establishing the task force to promote the employ-
ment of people with disabilities
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill establishes a task force to promote competitive integrated
employment for people with disabilities.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Establishes a task force in the Department of Labor to
promote competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.
This section outlines the composition of the taskforce, the appointment
process for the taskforce, the term length of the task force, the
compensation of the taskforce and the operation of the taskforce.
Section 2: Defines the role of the taskforce and sets out how often it
shall report to the state.
Section 3: Establishes the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
The original version of this bill was targeted towards the employment of
people with disabilities within state agencies, whereas the amended
version concerns the employment of people with disabilities in both the
public and private sectors.
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill aims to help people with disabilities by removing barriers to
employment through task force recommendations..
Only 33% of adults with disabilities in New York are currently employed
which starkly contrasts with a general population employment percentage
of 74%. New Yorkers with disabilities currently suffer from a high unem-
ployment rate and have trouble accessing employment Services, informa-
tion and training.
This bill creates an employment taskforce set up to improve employment
rates of people with disabilities to provide a sense of dignity and
economic empowerment.
The task force shall examine, support, promote, assist and coordinate
New York state agencies and departments to be an exemplar in the areas
of model employment for people with disabilities and promote New York
State in the identification and implementation of strategies to expand
efforts of state and local government agencies to recruit, hire, and
retain in employment individuals with disabilities.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: A6397 (Burdick) - referred to Disabilities
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
