What's happening
This bill establishes a task force to study and recommend solutions for challenges facing African American men in New York State.
Why it matters
Addresses systemic disparities. By specifically targeting issues such as education, incarceration, health, and economic outcomes, this task force could help identify root causes of inequality facing African American men, rather than treating only surface-level symptoms.
Brings together diverse expertise. The task force includes leaders from multiple state agencies (e.g., health, education, corrections, labor) plus legislative appointees, which means any recommendations are likely to be informed by a broad, cross-sector perspective and could facilitate more coordinated, comprehensive solutions.
Mandates actionable recommendations. The requirement to produce a report with specific recommendations on laws, programs, and policies means the task force's work could directly influence legislative or administrative changes, potentially leading to measurable improvements in outcomes.
Allows for ongoing review. The bill enables the task force to be reconvened after the initial report, ensuring that the state can revisit and adapt its strategies as new challenges or opportunities arise, rather than treating this as a one-time effort.
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Who cares
African American men in New York
The task force would study disparities affecting their education, incarceration, earnings, child welfare involvement and health, and recommend changes to state laws and programs.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Its representative would direct the task force, with authority to assign staff and request facilities, assistance and data from state and local agencies.
State agencies, service providers and educational institutions
The task force would assess state programs serving African American men, identify service gaps and develop strategies to reduce duplication and improve coordination.
Organizations advocating for African American men
The task force could consult them as it develops findings and recommendations for the governor and legislature.
Headline styles
Study Black Men's Challenges
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
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.
Study African American Men
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2853
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to establish a task force on the condition of African American men in New York state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that African American men: (a) are disproportionately less likely to complete high school and to obtain a post-secondary education; (b) are more likely to be incarcerated or on parole; (c) are more likely to have lower lifetime economic earnings; (d) are more likely to have been a part of the child welfare population; (e) are more likely to have a shorter life expectancy; and (f) are more likely to have health problems, such as HIV/AIDS, drug dependency, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. The legislature additionally finds that the state of New York has a compelling interest in determining the causes of these problems and in developing appropriate remedies.
§ 2. The New York state task force on the condition of African American men is hereby established. The role of the task force includes but is not limited to:
(a) assessing the causal factors for the condition of African American men;
(b) assessing state programs and initiatives that serve to improve the condition of African American men and identifying the gaps in such services;
(c) developing strategies to reduce duplication of services and to maximize coordination between state agencies, providers and educational institutions, including developing benchmarks to measure progress; and
(d) preparing a report for submission to the governor and the legislature that provides specific recommendations regarding existing state
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03444-01-7
S. 2853 2
laws, regulations, programs, policies, and practices relating to the condition of African American men in the state.
§ 3. The task force shall issue its findings, in the form of a report, no later than December 31, 2018.
§ 4. The task force shall consist of 17 members and shall include the commissioner of temporary and disability assistance, the commissioner of children and family services, the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, the commissioner of economic development, the commissioner of health, the commissioner of human rights, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of labor and the chancellor of the state university of New York, or a designee of any of such officers. The remaining eight shall be appointed, within 60 days of the effective date of this act, as follows: two shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; two shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. The member from the office of temporary and disability assistance shall serve as the director of the task force and he or she may assign staff as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Task force members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
§ 5. The task force may consult with any organization, educational institution, governmental agency, or person, that advocates for African American men.
§ 6. The director of the task force may reconvene the task force, with the same or different members, after issuance of the report, to address any further issues associated with the condition of African American men in New York state.
§ 7. All departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof shall, at the request of the director, provide the task force with such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties.
§ 8. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to establish a task force on the condition of African American men in New York state
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to address the prevailing issues facing African American men in society. African American men are: (1) disproportionately less likely to complete high school and to obtain a postsecondary education; (2) more likely to be incarcerated or on parole; (3) more likely to have lower lifetime economic earnings; (4) more likely to have been,a part of the child welfare population; (5) more likely to have a shorter life expectancy; and, (6) more likely to have health problems, such as HIV/AIDS, drug dependency, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, just to name a few.
Summary of provisions
This legislation would create a Task Force on the Condition of African American Men in New York State. The Task Force would determine causal factors for the condition of African American men; inventory State programs and initiatives that serve to improve the condition of African American men; identify gaps in services to African American men; and, develop strategies to reduce duplication of services and to maximize coordination between State agencies, providers, and educational institutions, including developing benchmarks to measure progress. Lastly, the task force will prepare a report for submission to the governor and the legislature that provides specific recommendations regarding existing state laws, regulations, programs, policies, and practices relating to the condition of African American men in New York State.
Read the full memo (657 words)
Justification
The experiences of young African American men differ in various ways from other young men of other racial and ethnic groups. Based on information from the US Census and other national statistics, it has become evident that African American men are disproportionately disadvantaged from young men of other racial and ethnic groups. African American men are less likely to complete high school and to obtain a post-secondary education. As of 2004, fewer than 8% of African American men have graduated from college, compared to 17% of Whites and 35% of Asians (Kaiser Family Foundation). African American Men are more likely to be incarcerated or on parole. In 2003, African Americans accounted for only 12% of the general population, and comprised 44% of all prisoners with sentences greater than one year. If incarceration rates remain unchanged, about one in three Black men are expected to go to prison during their lifetime as opposed to only one in 17 White men (The Institute for Higher Education Policy).
African American men are more likely to have lower lifetime economic earnings or be unemployed. In 2004, 72% of African American men in their 20s, who had dropped out of high school, were jobless (New York Times). This is comparable to only 34% of White men and 19% of Hispanic men who were high school dropouts in their 20s (New York Times). African American men are also more likely to have been a part of the child welfare system, which according to empirical data, often times results in delayed social and academic development. Lastly, African American men are much more likely to have a shorter life expectancy due to a higher prevalence of health problems, specifically HIV/AIDS, drug dependency, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Research shows that African American men live 7.1 years less than other racial groups and that 40-% die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, as compared to 21%- of White men. African American men are five times more likely to die of HIV/AIDS (about.com). African American men also have a higher incidence and a higher rate of death from oral cancer.
In order to examine the causes of these problems and develop appropriate remedies, a task force will be established to address the condition of African American men in the state.
Legislative history
A.9857 of 2007/2008; A.2223 of 2009/2010; A.999 of 2011/2012; A.4524 of 2013/2014; A.2715A of 2015/2016.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.