What's happening
This bill creates a demonstration program dividing jobs into sub-positions to employ people with developmental disabilities in state civil service.
Why it matters
Creates new, flexible job opportunities for people with significant developmental disabilities. who are unable to perform all duties of a traditional civil service job, making public employment more accessible to some of the most marginalized job seekers.
Introduces "job carving," task reassignment, and job sharing in state employment. , which could serve as a model for how government and potentially private employers can customize roles to fit the strengths and interests of workers with disabilities.
Limits compensation to minimum wage and excludes benefits. like health insurance and pensions, raising important questions about economic security, job equity, and the long-term sustainability of such employment for participants.
Requires formal evaluation and reporting to the legislature. on the program’s outcomes, providing a basis for potential permanent expansion, policy adjustments, or termination—thus shaping the future of inclusive employment practices in state government.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Jobs for Disabled New Yorkers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to civil service and pensions
- Referred to rules
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.
Jobs for Disabled New Yorkers
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Employees · Sponsor Angelo Santabarbara
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6626
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
July 10, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the civil service law, in relation to establishing a customized employment demonstration program for persons with disabilities; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 55-b of the civil service law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of subdivisions one and two of this section, the commission shall establish a customized employment demonstration program, of not more than fifteen positions, that subdivides traditional positions of employment into two or more sub-positions for the purpose of employing persons with developmental disabilities. Such persons appointed to fill sub-positions shall be limited to those individuals, who because of physical and/or mental disability, are unable to perform all the duties of the position, but are able to perform a portion of such duties, and who would otherwise not qualify, because of the severity of their disability, for a position designated pursuant to subdivision one of this section.
(b) Such persons, as determined by the president, shall be appointed as temporary employees to fill sub-positions. Sub-positions shall be customized to the strengths and interests of the job candidate and the identified needs of the employer, which may include the process of task reassignment, job carving and job sharing. No person holding a position pursuant to this chapter shall be terminated for the purposes of establishing or filling a sub-position established pursuant to this subdivision. Sub-positions may be either part-time or full-time employment. Compensation for the sub-positions shall be set at the minimum wage, as established pursuant to section six hundred fifty-two of the labor law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06292-01-9
S. 6626 2
Such compensation shall not include health benefits, pension benefits or any other additional benefits. All such sub-positions shall be classified in the non-competitive class.
(c) The program established pursuant to this subdivision shall commence on July first, two thousand twenty. The president shall, in consultation with the commissioner of developmental disabilities and the commissioner of mental health, examine and evaluate the implementation and effects of this section, and shall issue to the legislature, an interim report, on or before July first, two thousand twenty-one, and a final report, on or before July first, two thousand twenty-two, of its findings, conclusions and recommendations, including whether the provisions of this subdivision should be continued on a permanent basis and, if so, recommendations for the implementation of a permanent customized employment program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2023.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to establishing a customized employment demonstration program for persons with disabilities; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
To establish a customized employment demonstration program whereby certain positions are divided into sub-positions by the civil service commission to provide for employment of developmentally disabled persons.
Summary of provisions
This bill creates a customized employment demonstration program under section 55-b of the civil service law.
Justification
Civil Service Law § 55-b provides for the employment of persons with developmental disabilities by the State. Under the current program, the Civil Service Commission may determine up to 1,200 noncompetitive posi- tions that may be performed by persons with a physical or mental disa- bility.
This legislation builds on Civil Service Law § 55-b by establishing a demonstration program to study customized employment. Customized employ- ment is the process of subdividing traditional positions of employment into two or more sub-positions representing singular tasks or skill sets. Customized employment can open up employment opportunities for those people with developmental disabilities who would otherwise not be able to perform the duties of a traditional position as currently set forth under the § 55-b program.
It is incumbent on New York State to continue to open up new opportu- nities for the disabled, so they too can lead fulfilling lives. This demonstration program would explore a versatile and customizable employ- ment option for people with developmental disabilities, and would result in a report analyzing the impact of the program and making recommenda- tions regarding the continuation of the program. By providing additional options for employment, people with developmental disabilities will have more opportunities to achieve their most meaningful or engaging activity as identified within their person-centered planning process.
Legislative history
2015-16: A8111A - referred to governmental employees
2017-18: A205A - referred to governmental employees
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2023.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.