NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7928
SPONSOR: Cruz TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend chapter 730 of the laws of 2019, amending the executive
law relating to the authority of the New York black car operators' inju-
ry compensation fund, inc., in relation to the effectiveness thereof
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Section 2 of chapter 730 of the laws of 2019, amending the
executive law relating to the authority of the New York black car opera-
tors injury compensation fund, inc., as amended by chapter 417 of the
laws of 2022, is amended to read as follows:
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed nine years after such date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The Black Car Fund Drivers Benefits program was created by New York
State as a safety net for the industry's workers.Since the expansion of
the Black Car Fund's benefits program in 2019, over 80,000 drivers have
enrolled and received critical health related services and income
protection benefits that include free vision and dental coverage, prima-
ry care through telemedicine services, hearing care, and mental health
and wellness services.
Nine in ten for-hire vehicle drivers in New York are first generation
Americans, immigrants who came here ready to work hard to build a better
life for their families. Yet for decades, this workforce was excluded
from the kinds of benefits and protections other American workers take
for granted. New York leads the nation in delivering historic benefits
to 100,000 of our nation's most vulnerable workers. The program has
been an unmitigated success and by continuing the exemplary surcharge-
for-benefits model that currently exists, New York can continue to lead
on workers' rights while making sure that independent workers and their
families can remain healthy and economically viable.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately
