BILL NUMBER: S4511
SPONSOR: RAMOS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to establishing the task force to promote the employ-
ment of people with disabilities
 
PURPOSE:
This bill establishes a task force to promote competitive integrated
employment for people with disabilities.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 Establishes a task force in the Department of Labor to promote
competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities. This
section outlines the composition of the taskforce, the appointment proc-
ess for the taskforce, the term length of the task force, the compen-
sation of the taskforce and the operation of the taskforce.
Section 2 Defines the role of the taskforce and sets out how often it
shall report to the state.
Section 3 Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill aims to help people with disabilities by removing barriers to
employment through task force recommendations. Only 33% of adults with
disabilities in New York are currently employed which starkly contrasts
with a general population employment percentage of 74%. New Yorkers with
disabilities currently suffer from a high unemployment rate and have
trouble accessing employment Services, information and training.
This bill creates an employment taskforce set up to improve employment
rates of people with disabilities to provide a sense of dignity and
economic empowerment. The task force shall examine, support, promote,
assist and coordinate New York state agencies and departments to be an
exemplar in the areas of model employment for people with disabilities
and promote New York State in the identification and implementation of
strategies to expand efforts of state and local government agencies to
recruit, hire, and retain in employment individuals with disabilities.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S8379A (Ramos) - Referred to Disabilities/ A6397A (Burdick) -
Passed the Assembly
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately