What's happening
This bill directs the president of the state civil service commission to study and recommend ways to improve civil service exams to enhance diversity in public sector hiring.
Why it matters
Focuses on identifying and removing barriers. that applicants from diverse backgrounds may face in the civil service exam process, such as language, disability, transportation, and access to preparation materials—potentially leveling the playing field for underrepresented groups.
Examines the adequacy of current resources and accommodations. , including translation services, accessible exam locations, mentorship programs, and disability accommodations, which could highlight systemic issues and gaps that have long hindered equitable hiring.
Requires a comprehensive review across multiple dimensions of diversity. (age, race, creed, color, national origin, native language, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, sex, disability, marital status), ensuring the study is not limited to only one or two aspects of diversity.
Sets a clear deadline for action and accountability. , mandating that findings and recommendations be delivered to the governor and legislative leaders within 270 days, which could accelerate reforms to public sector hiring practices.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Civil Service Exams
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 32
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to civil service and pensions
- Referred to civil service and pensions
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 Civil Service Exams
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Employees · Sponsor Karines Reyes
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1766
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 16, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
AN ACT to direct the president of the state civil service commission to conduct a study on the current civil service examination process to identify and provide recommendations to improve current methodologies used regarding the examination process to ensure diversity in recruitment and hiring in the public sector
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The president of the state civil service commission is hereby directed to conduct a study on the current civil service examination process to identify existing resources and provide recommendations on how to improve current methodologies used regarding the examination process to ensure diversity in the recruitment and hiring in the public sector. Such study shall review the various needs of applicants based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, native language, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, disability or marital status. The study must also review available resources to ensure that each of the needs of the above applicants are sufficiently met to ensure that there are no undue barriers that could limit opportunities and prevent a diverse public sector workforce. Such resources shall include, but not be limited to, transportation, accessibility to examination location and times of examinations, technology, preparation courses on general exams, translators, tests available in applicant's native language, preparation materials or other study materials provided to applicants before examinations are scheduled, mentors or a mentorship program, or any other testing accommodations deemed necessary for a documented disability. If resources are not available, the commission shall make recommendations regarding how such resources can be provided. Such commission shall also make other recommendations regarding the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07270-02-9
S. 1766 2
examination process to ensure diversity in recruitment and hiring in the public sector.
§ 2. On or before two hundred seventy days after the effective date of this act, the president of the state civil service commission shall complete the study pursuant to section one of this act and shall thereafter deliver a copy of the findings and any legislative recommendations he or she deems to be necessary to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly.
§ 3. 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 direct the president of the state civil service commission to conduct a study on the current civil service examination process to identify and provide recommendations to improve current methodologies used regarding the examination process to ensure diversity in recruit- ment and hiring in the public sector
Purpose or general idea of bill
Directs the president of the state civil service commission to conduct a study on the current civil service examination process.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. The President of the state Civil Service Commission shall conduct a study on the current civil service examination process to identify existing resources and provide recommendations on how to improve current methodologies used regarding the examination process to ensure diversity in the recruitment and hiring in the public sector.
Read the full memo (603 words)
Section 2. On or before 270 days after effective date of this act, the President of the State Civil Service Commission shall complete the study conducted pursuant to section one of this act. The results should be reported with recommendations to the Governor, the temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly.
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Difference between original and amended version
N/A
Justification
This legislation intends to improve employment opportunities for quali- fied minorities in the New York State civil service system. This system oversees the employment of over 630,000 government (public) sector employees. Based on the appalling hiring of minorities documented below, it is necessary to examine other paths to employment that can help diversify the state and municipal government workforces so that they better reflect the great diversity of our State. Having the Department of Civil Service examine and report on how a portfolio application system would help improve diversity is a good start and this legislation aims to initiate that process.
A 2005 report by the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, a subsequent public hearing and other meetings with minority workers has yielded valuable suggestion that need legislative action to remedy what the 2005 report called, an appalling under-representation of minorities in civil service and policy making positions in the Pataki Administration. This is one of 7 proposals put forward by task force to address the problems.
*In 2005, Hispanics made up over 16% of the entire state population but accounted for only 3.8 percent or 6.515 of the 169.571 jobs in the state government workforce. In real terms, this is a decline in close to 1,000 jobs since 1991 or a 12.2% reduction in the number of Hispanic state workers. This reduction came during a period when the Hispanic popu- lation in New York grew by 33%.
*In 2015 Hispanics make up almost 19% of the entire state population but account for 400 less jobs than they had in State government or 6,142 jobs out of 131,800.
*Since 1991, the African-American civil service workforce has seen a dramatic decline. The more than 11,000 jobs lost by this group represent an almost 30% decline in the African-American state workforce. This reduction came during a period when the African-American population in New York grew by 16.1%.
*For African-Americans, the loss of the 11,000 jobs at the average state salary of $53,000 translates into a loss of over $550 million dollars in annual salaries. For Hispanics their under-representation translates into a loss of over $860 million in annual salaries never realized by this community.
Legislative history
S.8679 of 2018, referred to civil service and pensions A.8041 of 2016, referred to governmental employees
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.