BILL NUMBER: S8797B
SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor
to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employ-
ers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to direct the Department of Labor to estab-
lish a voluntary training and certification program for employers that
have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill would direct the Department of Labor, in consul-
tation with the Office of Employee Relations, the Office for People with
Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, the Justice
Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the Council on
Developmental Disabilities, Access VR, the Office of the Chief Disabili-
ty Officer, and any other relevant groups as deemed necessary to estab-
lish a voluntary training program and certification for employers, enti-
tled the Neurodiversity Pledge, to support an inclusive workplace and
the advantages of a neurodiverse workforce.
Section 2 provides that the effective date shall take effect on the
ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Recently, new statutes have been enacted and initiatives launched to
improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities, and to enhance their
employment opportunities; examples include, but are not limited to, the
expansion of the 55 b/c Program. Both the public and private sector are
engaged in these efforts as well. The success of implementation of such
statutes and initiatives depend, in large measure, upon neurodiversity
training and neurodiverse workforce hiring.
Increasing further awareness and knowledge of the various forms of
neurodivergence helps improve training for employees and employers in
ensuring the workplace is highly accessible for individuals with disa-
bilities. Positive inter-work relations and productivity are vital to
career and employment success, yet currently, individuals with disabili-
ties may not stand on an equal playing field while tackling these goals.
Being familiar with disabilities and knowing how to accommodate them is
a necessity for all workplaces, and is long overdue for enactment.
Therefore, this bill would direct various offices to pursue a shared
effort of establishing a training and certification program for employ-
ers who have taken the Neurodiversity Pledge, which is a pledge to be
more inclusive.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.