What's happening
This bill prohibits government agencies in New York from denying employment solely because a prospective employee is recovering from alcohol or substance abuse.
Why it matters
Supports fair hiring practices for individuals in recovery. , helping to reduce stigma and barriers to employment for those who have struggled with alcohol or substance abuse but are actively working on their recovery.
Expands the definition of “government agency”. to include a wide range of public employers—such as schools, correctional facilities, and local government offices—meaning the protections are broad and cover many job opportunities.
Aligns legal definitions with existing mental health law. , making it clear how “alcohol abuse” and “substance abuse” are defined, which helps avoid ambiguity and ensures consistent application of the law.
May encourage more individuals to seek help for addiction. , knowing that recovery status alone cannot legally disqualify them from public sector jobs, thus supporting public health and rehabilitation efforts.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Recovery Discrimination
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
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.
Protect Rights of Recovering Addicts
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Pete Harckham
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4155
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 1, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. DenDEKKER, ABINANTI -- 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 recovering from alcohol and/or substance abuse
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-e to read as follows:
§ 296-e. Unlawful discriminatory practices by government agencies relating to persons recovering from alcohol and/or substance abuse. 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) "Alcohol abuse" and/or "substance abuse" shall have the same meanings as set forth in section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law.
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 is recovering from alcohol and/or substance abuse.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07811-01-9
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.