What's happening
This bill creates a task force to target unemployment assistance and job training for workers in industries with higher-than-average unemployment rates in New York.
Why it matters
Focuses resources where they're most needed. By identifying industries with unemployment rates higher than the statewide average, the task force ensures that job training and assistance are targeted to workers who may be at the greatest risk of long-term joblessness, rather than spreading resources thinly across all sectors.
Bridges the gap between displaced workers and in-demand jobs. The mandate for the task force to promote and facilitate enrollment in job training programs specifically tied to high-demand labor areas means workers are more likely to receive support that leads directly to real employment opportunities, not just generic training.
Promotes coordinated, evidence-driven action. The bill requires regular analysis of unemployment data by industry and the development of outreach programs, ensuring that state agencies respond to actual labor market trends and that their efforts are coordinated and data-driven.
Enhances transparency and accountability. Regular reporting to legislative leaders and the public, with findings and recommendations posted online, creates oversight and public awareness, helping to ensure that the task force's work leads to tangible improvements and can be evaluated and adjusted as needed.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Unemployment Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to labor
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8312
IN SENATE
May 11, 2020
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to establishing the industry targeted unemployment task force; 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. The labor law is amended by adding a new article 18-A to read as follows:
ARTICLE 18-A
INDUSTRY TARGETED UNEMPLOYMENT TASK FORCE Section 645. Statement of purpose.
646. Industry targeted unemployment task force.
647. Task force composition.
648. Task force duties.
649. Reporting.
§ 645. Statement of purpose. It is the purpose of this article to ensure:
1. During times of large overall unemployment, individuals without employment are aware of the various job training and job development programs available to them;
2. That various job training and job development programs administered or funded by the state are promoted in a matter that targets former employees of industries experiencing higher levels of unemployment compared to the overall rate; and
3. Former employees of industries experiencing high levels of unemployment are enrolled and complete job training and job development programs, specifically in areas that have a demand in necessary labor.
§ 646. Industry targeted unemployment task force. The industry targeted unemployment task force, referred to in this article as the task force, is hereby established for the purpose of concentrating unemployment assistance, job training, and job development assistance during times of high unemployment to individuals who have previously been
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16231-02-0
S. 8312 2
employed by an industry that is experiencing unemployment rates higher than the statewide average.
§ 647. Task force composition. 1. The task force shall consist of twelve members; one of who shall be the commissioner, or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force; three members shall be appointed by the governor, and at a minimum one such member shall be a representative of a labor union; two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; and the final two members shall be representatives of industries experiencing high levels of unemployment and shall be appointed by the other members of the task force.
2. The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
§ 648. Task force duties. The role of the task force includes, but is not limited to:
1. Examining the statewide unemployment rate by industry, and the overall pool of unemployed persons by their last industry worked in, to determine what industries have higher unemployment than the statewide average; and
2. Developing an outreach program to be utilized by state agencies for the unemployed workers of industries that have high levels of unemployment, including but not limited to, job search resources, job training opportunities in emerging industries, payment and financial assistance for those programs, entrepreneurial opportunities, and other items that would assist unemployed workers in obtaining employment.
§ 649. Reporting. The task force shall report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate and the minority leader of the senate no less than annually with the first such report due six months after the effective date of this article, and it shall additionally issue such reports and recommendations as it deems necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. The findings and recommendations in such reports shall be used by all state agencies to address any unemployment and job assistance outreach as applicable. Any such reports shall be made publicly available on the website of the department.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed three years after such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to establishing the industry targeted unemployment task force; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE::
This bill creates a task force to examine industries with higher levels of unemployment than the overall average, develop an outreach program to those unemployed workers, and connecting these workers with job train- ing, financial assistance, job search resources, among others.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS::
Section one creates the Industry Targeted Unemployment Task Force and sets its composition and duties.
Section two establishes the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION::
Due to the pandemic associated with COVID-19, estimates are that New York's unemployment rate could be as high as 13%, which if accurate will be the state's highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression.(1) Statistics indicate that a majority of laid-off workers are from the accommodation/food service, retail trade, and healthcare industries.(2) With workers in each industry bringing different skill sets and know- ledge, it may be difficult for impacted individuals to know what resources and job training in other industries are available to them.
In May of 2014, the Governor announced the creation of an unemployment strikeforce in the Bronx, with a goal of targeting areas of the state with high unemployment by having on the ground teams working with busi- nesses and workers to get the unemployment rate down. This program was extended to Western New York in 2016. Overall, the Department of Labor has estimated 77,000 individuals have found work because of the two strikeforces.(3)
Using the concept of identifying geographic areas with persistently high unemployment, New York should also examine industries currently with high levels of unemployment and develop tools on how to reach the work- ers who previously were employed in these areas. Workers often develop knowledge and skills in their employment area but are not familiar with opportunities in other industries. Many job search resources or job training opportunities may have been created since a worker was last looking for employment, or an individual may not know of industries that are projected to grow in the next few years. Making sure the challenges unemployed workers face in finding new employment is paramount, and the information used will help guide the outreach and assistance the state provides in getting people back to work.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New legislation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
Minimal
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take immediately and shall expire and deemed repealed three years after such date.
(1) See https://www.forbes.com/sites/may rarodriquezvalladares/2020/04/26/new-yor k-state-unemployment-rate-is- athighest-level- since-the-qreat-depression/ 23b2bfaf76f2
(2) See https://www.uticaod.cominews/20200503/ coronavirus-unemploy- ment-puts-state-local-residents- on-edge
(3) See https://labor.ny.govistrikeforce/ strikeforce.shtm
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.