BILL NUMBER: S7304
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the labor law and the legislative law, in relation to
requiring state employees attend annual implicit bias training and
certain public officials attend annual management training
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require state employees to attend annual implicit bias training and
to require certain public officials to attend annual management train-
ing.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISION:
Section 1: Amends the labor law through the addition of section 27-e
which defines key terms such as "employer", "employee", and "implicit
bias training". This section requires employers to provide implicit bias
training to their employees and to submit a copy of the training to the
appropriate department for documentation.
Section 2: Amends the 2022 legislative law by adding paragraph m which
requires the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comp-
troller, members of the state legislature, and legislative employees to
complete mandatory annual management training. This includes but is not
limited to diversity training. This program should also be available to
any employees of such elected officials, executive employees, and any
other employee of the state.
Section 3: This act shall take effect on the first of January next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Implicit bias training is vital for cultivating a just and inclusive
workplace environment. It facilitates diversity, mitigates discrimi-
nation, and fosters equity by raising awareness of individual cognitive
processes and uncovering the roots of implicit associations. This train-
ing seeks to equip employees with the tools to manage biases, modify
behavior, and monitor progress' effectively. Similarly, management
training for public officials is essential for enhancing effective lead-
ership and decision-making capabilities, thereby positively influencing
the broader landscape of New York State. This bill underscores the
significance of fostering positive work environments while proactively
addressing and mitigating unconscious biases. By promoting equitable
treatment and advancing progressive values, it seeks to propel New York
State towards a more inclusive future.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A4185 of 2023-2024; Referred to governmental employees
S3050 of 2023-2024; Referred to labor
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.