BILL NUMBER:S2342

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the
definition of "minority group member"

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This bill expands the definition of "minority" under NYS Executive
Law, for Participation by Minority Group Members and Women with
Respect to State Contracts, expanding businesses run by "people with
disabilities" in the definition under Section 310, 6(e) consistent
with the definition in Human Rights Law.

JUSTIFICATION:

People with disabilities represent a significant minority group in the
nation and the state. Based on data from the American Community Survey
(ACS), in 2013, there were 2,099,458 (10.9%) New Yorkers with
disabilities.

Of the 1,043,603 individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years
living in the community, 322,875 individuals were employed creating an
employment rate of 30.9 percent. This resulted in a gap of 41.8%
compared to individuals without disabilities in the same age range in
the State.

              

Of the 1,034,056 individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years who
were living in the community, 308,030 individuals lived in poverty, a
poverty rate of 29.8 percent, more than twice that of people without
disabilities in the State.

For the individuals with disabilities ages 16 years and over living in
the community that had earnings from work, median earnings were
$21,605. It results in a gap of $12,627 when compared to individuals
without disabilities for the same age in the State.

As a result of these significant gaps, people with disabilities need
more employment opportunities, including self-employment that
encourages business development and use of technology and
telecommuting. While advances have been made over the past two
decades, some people with disabilities may still be facing barriers to
employment due to accessibility issues. Certainly, traditional work
options in various job markets at offices made inclusive and
accessible to people with disabilities are desirable.

However, one way to address these concerns and increase opportunity
for this significant population would be to amend and expand the
definition of "minority" under NYS Executive Law, Article 15-A, for
Participation by Minority Group Members and Women with Respect to
State Contracts, expanding businesses run by "people with
disabilities" in the definition under Section 310, 6(e) consistent
with the definition in Human Rights Law Article 15, Section 292, (21).

It should be noted that the emphasis of this opportunity is to
encourage self-employment for people with disabilities leading to
their economic self-sufficiency. Businesses under this designation
must be owned by a person with a disability and provide integrated


employment at competitive wages, encouraging the hiring of additional
workers with disabilities in an inclusive workforce.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-14:S. 7392 Finance/ A. 9305 Governmental Operations

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take place immediately.