What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment establishing an Economic Bill of Rights for New York citizens, including rights to jobs, healthcare, education, housing, environment, and retirement.
Why it matters
Elevates basic economic needs to constitutional rights. , potentially giving citizens new legal standing to demand jobs, healthcare, education, housing, environmental protections, and retirement security from the state.
Could reshape state policy priorities and budget allocations. , as the government may be obligated to design and fund programs ensuring these rights for all residents, regardless of income.
Lays groundwork for legal challenges or reforms. if state actions or policies are seen as falling short of guaranteeing any of these economic rights, fundamentally altering the relationship between citizens and state government.
Signals a shift toward economic justice and equity. in New York’s constitution, aligning state values with broader national and international movements seeking to expand rights beyond traditional civil liberties.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Economic Rights to Constitution
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to rules
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6617
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 26, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 1 of the constitution, in relation to establishing an economic bill of rights
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That article 1 of the constitution be amended by adding a new section 19 to read as follows:
§ 19. Every citizen of the state of New York, regardless of his or her income, shall be entitled to the right to:
(a) a job that pays a living wage;
(b) quality health care;
(c) a complete education;
(d) affordable housing;
(e) a clean environment; and
(f) a secure retirement.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), that the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89142-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 1 of the constitution, in relation to establishing an economic bill of rights
Purpose
This bill amends the New York State Constitution to provide for an economic bill of rights for the citizens of the State of New York.
Summary of provisions
Under this legislation that amends the state Constitution, every citizen of the State of New York, regardless of his or her income, shall be entitled to the right to:
- a job that pays a living wage;
- quality health care;
- a complete education;
- affordable housing;
- a clean environment; and
- a secure retirement.
Justification
On January 11, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed a Second Bill of Rights, also known as an economic bill of rights. FDR said that the current political bill of rights was inadequate to ensure the equal- ity of the pursuit of happiness. In June 2019, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders called for an updated version of FDR's Second Bill of Rights. This bill amends the New York State Constitution to provide for an economic bill of rights for the citizens of the State of New York.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.