BILL NUMBER: S5351
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
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, statistics indicate that a
majority of laid-off workers are from the accommodation/food service,
retail trade, and healthcare industries.(1) With workers in each indus-
try bringing different skill sets and knowledge, 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.(2)
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:
2023-24: 56517- REFERRED TO LABOR
2021-22: S.3469A/A.7749A
2020: S.8312 Referred to Labor
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take immediately and shall expire and deemed repealed
three years after such date.