NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4204
SPONSOR: Weprin (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to prohibiting discrimi-
nation against religious attire
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would clarify that the wearing of any attire, clothing, or
facial hair in accordance with`the requirements of his or her religion
is protected under the Human Rights Law.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill would clarify that it is an unlawful discrimina-
tory practice for an employer to require a person to violate or forego
the wearing attire, clothing, or facial hair in accordance with the
requirements of his or her religion unless the employer demonstrates
that it is unable to reasonably accommodate the person's religious prac-
tice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business.
Section two sets an effective date after sixty days.
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill is intended to protect the religious rights of all New York-
ers.
An example of the need for this bill is a case in New York City where a
member of the Sikh religion, who worked for the MTA, was ordered to
remove his turban and wear the MTA hat When he objected, on religious
grounds, the MTA responded that he may wear the turban if he affixes an
MTA badge to the front. This was unacceptable as wearing a turban is a
solemn religious duty for Sikhs and affixing a badge to it would not be
religiously proper.
This bill would ensure that persons, like the gentleman described above,
no longer be discriminated against at their places of work because of
their expression of religious duties.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:t
03/22/17 passed assembly
03/20/18 passed assembly
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become law.
