Albany, NY¬ – Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) introduced a bill to stop employers from requiring low-wage employees to sign non-compete agreements, preventing them from seeking higher paying jobs. The bill, known as the Mobility and Opportunity for Vulnerable Employees (MOVE) Act, will ban the use of non-compete agreements for employees making less than $15 an hour, or $31,200 annually (A.8108). This legislation is modeled after recently introduced federal legislation by Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota).

“Requiring low-wage workers to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of employment is a practice that must end immediately,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Practices like these by employers hinder workers’ ability to move up in the world by using their experience to find better paying jobs; the MOVE Act will help remove barriers for those currently stuck in their low-wage jobs so they can work toward a better life for themselves and their families.”

Additionally, the bill requires that any company using non-compete agreements for employees not defined as “low-wage,” must disclose the use of such an agreement at the beginning of the hiring process.

“By removing these barriers we will be a taking a big step forward in making sure that those workers who need it most are being protected,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Ensuring the ability of low-wage workers to work hard and climb out of poverty is a paramount issue.”

Though similar legislation has been proposed in Congress, Assemblyman Dinowitz asserted that “New Yorkers just can’t wait for the gridlock in Congress to subside to protect low-wage workers.”