S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  4524

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            February 5, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of A. PEOPLES-STOKES, AUBRY, CAMARA, WRIGHT, CUSICK,
  SCARBOROUGH, BROOK-KRASNY, BOYLAND, COOK, ROBINSON,  CLARK  --  Multi-
  Sponsored  by  --  M. of A.   BRENNAN, CAHILL, GALEF, HEASTIE, JAFFEE,
  MAISEL, RIVERA, SWEENEY, TITONE --  read  once  and  referred  to  the
  Committee on Governmental Operations

AN  ACT  to  establish a task force on the condition of African American
  men in New York state

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Legislative  intent.  The  legislature finds that African
American men: (a) are disproportionately less likely  to  complete  high
school  and to obtain a post-secondary education; (b) are more likely to
be incarcerated or on parole; (c) are more likely to have lower lifetime
economic earnings; (d) are more likely to have been a part of the  child
welfare population; (e) are more likely to have a shorter life expectan-
cy;  and  (f) are more likely to have health problems, such as HIV/AIDS,
drug dependency, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.  The  legislature
additionally  finds that the state of New York has a compelling interest
in determining the causes of these problems and in developing  appropri-
ate remedies.
  S  2. The New York state task force on the condition of African Ameri-
can men is hereby established. The role of the task force  includes  but
is not limited to:
  (a) assessing the causal factors for the condition of African American
men;
  (b) assessing state programs and initiatives that serve to improve the
condition  of  African  American  men  and  identifying the gaps in such
services;
  (c) developing strategies to reduce duplication  of  services  and  to
maximize  coordination between state agencies, providers and educational
institutions, including developing benchmarks to measure progress; and

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD07920-01-3
              

A. 4524                             2

  (d) preparing a report for submission to the governor and the legisla-
ture that provides specific  recommendations  regarding  existing  state
laws,  regulations,  programs,  policies,  and practices relating to the
condition of African American men in the state.
  S 3. The task force shall issue its findings, in the form of a report,
no later than December 31, 2014.
  S  4. The task force shall consist of 17 members and shall include the
commissioner of temporary and disability assistance, the commissioner of
children and family services, the commissioner of corrections and commu-
nity supervision, the commissioner of economic development, the  commis-
sioner  of health, the commissioner of human rights, the commissioner of
education, the commissioner of labor and the  chancellor  of  the  state
university  of  New  York,  or  a  designee of any of such officers. The
remaining eight shall be appointed, within 60 days of the effective date
of this act, as follows:  two shall be appointed by the temporary presi-
dent of the senate; two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
senate; two shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;  and  two
shall  be  appointed  by the minority leader of the assembly. The member
from the office of temporary and disability assistance  shall  serve  as
the  director  of  the  task  force and he or she may assign staff as is
necessary to carry out  the  provisions  of  this  section.  Task  force
members  shall  receive  no compensation for their services but shall be
reimbursed for travel expenses incurred  in  the  performance  of  their
duties.
  S  5.  The  task  force may consult with any organization, educational
institution, governmental agency, or person, that advocates for  African
American men.
  S 6. The director of the task force may reconvene the task force, with
the  same or different members, after issuance of the report, to address
any further issues associated with the condition of African American men
in New York state.
  S 7. All departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions  thereof
shall,  at the request of the director, provide the task force with such
facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the task force to  carry
out its powers and duties.
  S 8. This act shall take effect immediately.