What's happening
This bill prohibits government agencies in New York from denying employment solely due to an applicant’s past attention deficit disorder diagnosis and treatment, if medication has not been used for at least one year.
Why it matters
Reduces employment barriers for people with a history of ADHD/ADD. By prohibiting government agencies from denying employment solely due to past diagnoses and treatments—if the applicant has not used medication for at least a year—this bill could help more individuals with these histories access public sector jobs.
Addresses stigma and discrimination. The legislation recognizes that people with attention deficit disorders often face prejudice, particularly regarding their use of medication, and seeks to limit government employers from using this medical history against them, potentially reducing bias in hiring.
Clarifies what counts as protected medical history. The bill specifically defines both the types of government agencies covered and the medications considered (including stimulants, SSRIs, and antidepressants), making it clear which past treatments cannot be used as grounds for employment denial after the one-year period.
May encourage self-disclosure and treatment adherence. Knowing that their medical history cannot be automatically used against them in public employment decisions (after a year without medication) could encourage individuals to seek diagnosis and treatment without fear of long-term career consequences.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban ADHD Job Discrimination
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3087
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 26, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. DenDEKKER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to unlawful discriminatory practices by government agencies relating to persons with attention deficit disorders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 296-d to read as follows:
§ 296-d. Unlawful discriminatory practices by government agencies relating to persons with attention deficit disorders. 1. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Government agency" shall mean any department, division, board, bureau, commission, office, agency, correctional facility, authority or public corporation of the state or a county, city, town or village government or any other instrumentality of local government or public educational institution.
(b) "Attention deficit disorders" shall mean and include attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
2. It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for a government agency employer to deny employment to a prospective employee solely on the basis that such prospective employee has previously been diagnosed as having an attention deficit disorder and has been treated for such disorder with psycho-stimulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants and/or other drugs prescribed for such disorders, provided that such person has not taken such medication for a period of one year prior to the start date of such employment.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08453-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.