What's happening
This bill prohibits New York state agencies from purchasing products made under conditions that do not meet minimum OSHA safety standards.
Why it matters
Expands accountability for worker safety globally. By prohibiting procurement of products made outside the U.S. under conditions that don't meet OSHA or equivalent standards, the bill pressures foreign manufacturers to improve workplace safety if they want to access New York state contracts.
Creates transparency and a public “do not buy” list. The required publication of lists of non-compliant products and manufacturers allows the public, advocacy groups, and businesses to easily identify and avoid goods made in substandard conditions.
Gives state agencies some flexibility, but with oversight. Agencies can waive the restriction only if they formally justify it as in the state's best interest and report the waiver, ensuring exceptions are documented and subject to review.
Potentially affects costs and supplier options. By narrowing the pool of eligible products and manufacturers, the bill could impact pricing and availability for state purchases, potentially increasing costs but aligning spending with higher labor standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Unsafe Product Purchases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental 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.
Ban Unethical Product Purchases
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5457
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to products manufactured under conditions that fail to comply with minimum OSHA standards
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 165 of the state finance law is amended by adding a new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
9. Products manufactured in compliance with minimum Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards.
a. As used in this subdivision, "minimum OSHA standards" shall mean those standards issued pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended.
b. The commissioner of general services shall have the power and it shall be his or her duty to prepare a list of all products that are manufactured under conditions that fail to observe: (i) standards promulgated under OSHA; or (ii) standards that are at least as effective as the standards promulgated under OSHA, which relate to the same issues thereunder, where such a manufacturing operation occurs in a jurisdiction not otherwise required to comply with such standards, including any operation which takes place in any other country, nation or province. The commissioner of general services shall prepare a companion list of the manufacturers of such products. The commissioner of general services shall add or delete from said lists any product or manufacturer upon good cause shown. The commissioner of general services shall cause such lists to be published on the website of the office of general services.
c. A state agency shall not enter into any contract for procurement of a (i) product contained on the list prepared by the commissioner of general services pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision; or (ii) product manufacturer by a manufacturer contained on the list prepared by the commissioner of general services pursuant to paragraph b of this
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00491-01-7
A. 5457 2
subdivision. The provisions of this paragraph may be waived by the head of the state agency if the head of the state agency determines in writing that it is in the best interests of the state to do so. The head of the state agency shall deliver each such waiver to the commissioner of general services.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.