NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A844A
SPONSOR: Jean-Pierre TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property law, in relation to requiring real
estate brokers to receive training in cultural competency
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To ensure that real estate brokers receive adequate training in cultural
competency prior to obtaining broker licenses, as well as for renewal
licenses.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Section 441 of the real property law to provide that
the department of state shall require proof that a person being tested
to qualify for a broker's license has taken a class on cultural compe-
tency training.
Section 2 amends section 441 of the real property law, as amended by
chapter 320 of the laws of 2016, to require at least two hours of
cultural competency training, for a renewal license to be issued.
Section 3 amends section 441 of the real property law, as amended by
chapter 392 of the laws of 2019, to require at least two hours of
cultural competency training, for a renewal license to be issued.
Section 4 sets out the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
A recent investigation published by Newsday revealed compelling evidence
of widespread discrimination against potential homebuyers of color on
Long Island. Newsday employed testers to engage with real estate brokers
and salespersons, and it was revealed that forty percent of the tests
yielded results suggesting that brokers subjected minority testers to
disparate treatment compared to white testers.
Long Island has long been segregated with pockets of wealth and pockets
of poverty, and Newsday's investigation makes clear that certain brokers
and salespersons have been engaging in bad faith, discriminatory prac-
tices. This bill will attempt to begin addressing this issue by mandat-
ing comprehensive cultural competency training for anyone seeking to
obtain a broker license, as well as for those seeking to renew those
very same licenses.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: A9933/S7851
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
On the one hundred twentieth day, provided, however, that if chapter 392
of the laws of 2019 shall not have taken effect on or before such date
then section three of this act shall take effect on the same date and in
the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2019 takes effect.
