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History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prohibits discrimination against religious attire
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to prohibiting discrimination 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 discriminatory 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 practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business.
Section two is the effective date.
Justification
This bill is intended to protect the religious rights of all New Yorkers.
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
Similar legislation 2015-16: S.3263 (Sanders) - referred to Investigations and Government Operations / A.2409 (Weprin) - Passed Assembly. 2013-14: S.5828 (Sanders) - referred to Investigations and Government Operations / A.864-A (Weprin) - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.