What's happening
This bill amends the definition of "minority group member" to include persons with disabilities under New York executive law.
Why it matters
Expands Access to State Programs. By including persons with disabilities in the definition of "minority group member," this bill could open up access to state contracts, business opportunities, and diversity programs that are aimed at supporting historically underrepresented groups.
Promotes Greater Inclusion. The change signals a recognition of the barriers faced by people with disabilities, aligning their status with other groups that have faced discrimination, and could foster greater inclusion within state-supported initiatives.
Potential for Economic Impact. Businesses owned by people with disabilities may become eligible for benefits such as set-asides or preferences in state procurement, potentially increasing their participation in the state's economy.
Legal and Policy Implications. Amending the executive law in this way may set a precedent for how minority status is defined under New York law, influencing future legislation and policy decisions regarding diversity and equal opportunity.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Include Disabled as Minority
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Include Disabled as Minority
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Angelo Santabarbara
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3785
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 27, 2017
Introduced by Sen. MARCELLINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the definition of "minority group member"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subdivision 8 of section 310 of the executive law, as added by chapter 261 of the laws of 1988, are amended and a new paragraph (e) is added to read as follows:
(c) Native American or Alaskan native persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America[.];
(d) Asian and Pacific Islander persons having origins in any of the Far East countries, South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands[.];
(e) A person with a disability as defined in subdivision twenty-one of section two hundred ninety-two of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to subdivision 8 of section 310 of the executive law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09207-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the definition of "minority group member"
Summary of provisions
This bill expands the definition of "minority" under NYS Executive Law for State contract sets aside to include businesses run by "people with disabilities" consistent with the definition in Human Rights Law.
Justification
People with disabilities represent a significant minority group in the nation and the State. Based on data from the American Community Survey (ACS), in 2013, there were 2,099,458 (10.9%) New Yorkers with disabilities. Of the 1,043,603 individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 322,875 individuals were employed, thus creating an employment rate of 30.9 percent. This resulted in an employment gap of 41.8% compared to individuals without disabilities in the same age range in the State.
Of the 1,034,056 individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years who were living in the community, 308,030 individuals lived in poverty, a poverty rate of 29.8 percent, more than twice that of people without disabilities in the State.
For the individuals with disabilities ages 16 years and over living in the community who had earnings from work, median earnings were $21,605. It results in a gap of $12,627 when compared to individuals without disabilities of the same age within the State.
As a result of these significant gaps, people with disabilities need more employment opportunities, including self-employment that encourages business development and use of technology and telecommuting. While advances have been made over the past two decades, some people with disabilities may still be facing barriers to employment due to accessibility issues. Certainly, traditional work options in various job markets at offices made inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities are desirable.
However, one way to address these concerns and increase opportunity for this significant population would be to amend and expand the definition of "minority" under NYS Executive Law, Article 15-A, that encourages participation by minority group members and women in State contracting. The inclusion of businesses run by "people with disabilities" will create opportunities for the disabled community.
It should be noted that the emphasis of this opportunity is to encourage self-employment for people with disabilities leading to their economic self-sufficiency. Businesses under this designation must be owned by a person with a disability and provide integrated employment at competitive wages, encouraging the hiring of additional workers with disabilities in an inclusive workforce.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.2342 Finance/ A.2910 Governmental Operations 2013-14: S.7392 Finance/ A.9305 Governmental Operations
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.