A. 3137 2
(B) AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE DEFINITION OF "DISABILITY" SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF BROAD COVERAGE OF INDIVIDUALS, TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL MEETS THE
DEFINITION UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT DEMAND EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS;
(C) AN IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY
NEED NOT LIMIT OTHER MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED A
DISABILITY;
(D) AN IMPAIRMENT THAT IS EPISODIC OR IN REMISSION IS A DISABILITY IF
IT WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY WHEN ACTIVE;
3. "MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES" SHALL MEAN:
(A) CARING FOR ONESELF, PERFORMING MANUAL TASKS, SEEING, HEARING,
EATING, SLEEPING, WALKING, STANDING, SITTING, REACHING, LIFTING, BEND-
ING, SPEAKING, BREATHING, LEARNING, READING, CONCENTRATING, THINKING,
COMMUNICATING, INTERACTING WITH OTHERS, AND WORKING; AND
(B) THE OPERATION OF A MAJOR BODILY FUNCTION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, FUNCTIONS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, SPECIAL SENSE ORGANS AND
SKIN, NORMAL CELL GROWTH, DIGESTIVE, GENITOURINARY, BOWEL, BLADDER,
NEUROLOGICAL, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY, CIRCULATORY, CARDIOVASCULAR, ENDOC-
RINE, HEMIC, LYMPHATIC, MUSCULOSKELETAL, AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS. THE
OPERATION OF A MAJOR BODILY FUNCTION INCLUDES THE OPERATION OF AN INDI-
VIDUAL ORGAN WITHIN A BODY SYSTEM;
4. "PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT" SHALL MEAN:
(A) ANY PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDER, OR CONDITION, COSMETIC DISFIGUREMENT,
OR ANATOMICAL LOSS AFFECTING ONE OR MORE BODY SYSTEMS SUCH AS NEUROLOGI-
CAL, MUSCULOSKELETAL, SPECIAL SENSE ORGANS, RESPIRATORY (INCLUDING
SPEECH ORGANS), CARDIOVASCULAR, REPRODUCTIVE, DIGESTIVE, GENITOURINARY,
IMMUNE, CIRCULATORY, HEMIC, LYMPHATIC, SKIN, AND ENDOCRINE; OR
(B) ANY MENTAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER, SUCH AS AN INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITY, ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROME, EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL ILLNESS, AND
SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES;
5. "STATE AGENCY" SHALL MEAN: (A)(I) ANY STATE DEPARTMENT; OR (II) ANY
DIVISION, BOARD, COMMISSION OR BUREAU OF ANY STATE DEPARTMENT; OR (III)
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK; OR
(IV) ANY PUBLIC AUTHORITY OR PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION ESTABLISHED
PURSUANT TO STATUTE; AND
(B) EMPLOYS FIFTY OR MORE EMPLOYEES;
6. "STATE CONTRACT" SHALL MEAN A WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER
INSTRUMENT, PROVIDING FOR A TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN EXCESS OF TEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS, WHEREBY A CONTRACTING AGENCY IS COMMITTED TO EXPEND OR DOES
EXPEND FUNDS IN RETURN FOR LABOR, SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT,
MATERIALS, THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION, REPLACEMENT, MAJOR
REPAIR OR RENOVATION OF REAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON OR ANY
COMBINATION OF THE FOREGOING, TO BE PERFORMED FOR, OR RENDERED OR
FURNISHED TO THE CONTRACTING AGENCY;
7. "STATE CONTRACTOR" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP
OR JOINT VENTURE, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATION HOLDING A STATE CONTRACT IN
EXCESS OF TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS AND EMPLOYS FIFTY OR MORE EMPLOYEES;
8. "STATE SUBCONTRACT" SHALL MEAN A WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN A
CONTRACTOR AND A SUBCONTRACTOR:
(A) FOR THE PURCHASE, SALE OR USE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OR NONPERSONAL
SERVICES (INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION) WHICH, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IS NECES-
SARY TO THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY ONE OR MORE STATE CONTRACTS; OR
(B) UNDER WHICH ANY PORTION OF THE STATE CONTRACTOR'S OBLIGATION UNDER
ANY ONE OR MORE STATE CONTRACTS IS PERFORMED, UNDERTAKEN, OR ASSUMED;
AND
A. 3137 3
9. "STATE SUBCONTRACTOR" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON, CORPORATION, PARTNER-
SHIP OR JOINT VENTURE, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATION HOLDING A STATE
SUBCONTRACT IN EXCESS OF TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS AND EMPLOYS FIFTY OR MORE
EMPLOYEES.
§ 369-BB. PARTICIPATION BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITH RESPECT
TO STATE EMPLOYMENT. 1. ALL STATE AGENCIES SHALL NOT DISCRIMINATE
BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY AND SHALL TAKE AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION TO EMPLOY AND ADVANCE IN EMPLOYMENT QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES AT ALL LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING TAKING AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION TO ACHIEVE SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILI-
TIES WITHIN EACH STATE AGENCY.
2. (A) EACH STATE AGENCY SHALL ANNUALLY EVALUATE ITS EMPLOYMENT OF
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
(B) STATE AGENCIES NOT MEETING THE GOAL OF SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT
SHALL TAKE STEPS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AND WHERE IMPEDIMENTS TO EQUAL
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EXIST. WHEN MAKING THIS DETERMINATION, EACH STATE
AGENCY SHALL ASSESS ITS PERSONNEL PROCESSES, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS
OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, THE RESULTS OF ITS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
EVALUATION, AND ANY OTHER AREAS THAT MIGHT AFFECT ITS SUCCESS IN EMPLOY-
MENT.
3. EACH STATE AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP AND EXECUTE ACTION-ORIENTED
PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO CORRECT ANY AREAS IDENTIFIED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF
THIS SECTION. THESE ACTION-ORIENTED PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE THE MODIFICA-
TION OF PERSONNEL PROCESSES TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, ALTERNATIVE OR ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AND
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, AND/OR OTHER ACTIONS DESIGNED TO CORRECT THE IDEN-
TIFIED PROBLEM AREAS AND ATTAIN THE ESTABLISHED GOAL.
4. A STATE AGENCY'S DETERMINATION THAT IT HAS NOT ATTAINED THE EMPLOY-
MENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE EITHER A FINDING OR ADMISSION OF DISCRIMINATION IN VIOLATION
OF THIS SECTION.
5. THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
SHALL NOT BE USED AS A QUOTA OR CEILING THAT LIMITS OR RESTRICTS THE
EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
6. THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS, SHALL PERIODICALLY REVIEW AND UPDATE, AS APPROPRIATE, THE
EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
§ 369-CC. PARTICIPATION BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITH RESPECT
TO STATE CONTRACTS. 1. ALL STATE CONTRACTS AND ALL DOCUMENTS SOLICITING
BIDS OR PROPOSALS FOR STATE CONTRACTS SHALL CONTAIN OR MAKE REFERENCE TO
THE FOLLOWING: ALL STATE CONTRACTORS AND STATE SUBCONTRACTORS SHALL NOT
DISCRIMINATE BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY AND SHALL TAKE
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO EMPLOY AND ADVANCE IN EMPLOYMENT QUALIFIED INDI-
VIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT ALL LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING TAKING
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO ACHIEVE SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN EACH STATE CONTRACTOR AND STATE SUBCONTRACTOR'S
WORKFORCE.
2. STATE CONTRACTORS SHALL INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE
OF THIS SECTION IN EVERY SUBCONTRACT IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE
PROVISIONS WILL BE BINDING UPON EACH STATE SUBCONTRACTOR AS TO WORK IN
CONNECTION WITH THE STATE CONTRACT.
3. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE BINDING UPON STATE
CONTRACTORS OR STATE SUBCONTRACTORS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF WORK OR THE
PROVISION OF SERVICES OR ANY OTHER ACTIVITY THAT ARE UNRELATED, SEPARATE
OR DISTINCT FROM THE STATE CONTRACT AS EXPRESSED BY ITS TERMS.
A. 3137 4
4. THE COMMISSIONER OF GENERAL SERVICES SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND
REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THAT STATE CONTRACTORS AND STATE SUBCONTRACTORS
UNDERTAKE PROGRAMS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTU-
NITY AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION INCLUDING:
(A) EACH STATE CONTRACTOR AND STATE SUBCONTRACTOR SHALL ANNUALLY EVAL-
UATE ITS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES;
(B) STATE CONTRACTORS AND STATE SUBCONTRACTORS NOT MEETING THE GOAL OF
SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT SHALL TAKE STEPS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AND WHERE
IMPEDIMENTS TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EXIST. WHEN MAKING THIS
DETERMINATION, EACH STATE CONTRACTOR AND STATE SUBCONTRACTOR SHALL
ASSESS ITS PERSONNEL PROCESSES, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS OUTREACH AND
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, THE RESULTS OF ITS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EVALUATION,
AND ANY OTHER AREAS THAT MIGHT AFFECT ITS SUCCESS IN EMPLOYMENT; AND
(C) EACH STATE CONTRACTOR AND STATE SUBCONTRACTOR SHALL DEVELOP AND
EXECUTE ACTION-ORIENTED PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO CORRECT ANY AREAS IDENTI-
FIED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION. THESE ACTION-ORIENTED
PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE THE MODIFICATION OF PERSONNEL PROCESSES TO ENSURE
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, ALTERNA-
TIVE OR ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, AND/OR OTHER
ACTIONS DESIGNED TO CORRECT THE IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AREAS AND ATTAIN THE
ESTABLISHED GOAL.
5. A STATE CONTRACTOR OR STATE SUBCONTRACTOR'S DETERMINATION THAT IT
HAS NOT ATTAINED THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF
THIS SECTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE EITHER A FINDING OR ADMISSION OF
DISCRIMINATION IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.
6. THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
SHALL NOT BE USED AS A QUOTA OR CEILING THAT LIMITS OR RESTRICTS THE
EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
7. THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS AND COMMISSIONER OF GENERAL SERVICES, SHALL PERIODICALLY
REVIEW AND UPDATE, AS APPROPRIATE, THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN
SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
§ 369-DD. INVITATION TO SELF-IDENTIFY. 1. (A) AS PART OF THE COVERED
EMPLOYER'S AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY, A COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL INVITE
APPLICANTS TO INFORM THE EMPLOYER WHETHER THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT HE
OR SHE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION THREE
HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE-AA OF THIS ARTICLE. THIS INVITATION SHALL BE PROVIDED
TO EACH APPLICANT WHEN THE APPLICANT APPLIES OR IS CONSIDERED FOR
EMPLOYMENT. THE INVITATION MAY BE INCLUDED WITH THE APPLICATION MATERI-
ALS FOR A POSITION, BUT SHALL BE SEPARATE FROM THE APPLICATION.
(B) A COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL INVITE AN APPLICANT TO SELF-IDENTIFY AS
REQUIRED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION USING THE LANGUAGE AND
MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
WEBSITE.
2. (A) AT ANY TIME AFTER THE OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT, BUT BEFORE THE
APPLICANT BEGINS HIS OR HER JOB DUTIES, A COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL INVITE
THE APPLICANT TO INFORM THE EMPLOYER WHETHER THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT
HE OR SHE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION THREE
HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE-AA OF THIS ARTICLE.
(B) A COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL INVITE AN APPLICANT TO SELF-IDENTIFY AS
REQUIRED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION USING THE LANGUAGE AND
MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
WEBSITE.
A. 3137 5
3. A COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL INVITE EACH OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO VOLUNTAR-
ILY INFORM THE EMPLOYER WHETHER THE EMPLOYEE BELIEVES THAT HE OR SHE IS
AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED
SIXTY-NINE-AA OF THIS ARTICLE. THIS INVITATION SHALL BE EXTENDED THE
FIRST YEAR THE EMPLOYER BECOMES SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
SECTION AND AT FIVE YEAR INTERVALS, THEREAFTER, USING THE LANGUAGE AND
MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
WEBSITE. AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE INTERVENING YEARS BETWEEN THESE INVI-
TATIONS, THE COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL REMIND ITS EMPLOYEES THAT THEY MAY
VOLUNTARILY UPDATE THEIR DISABILITY STATUS.
4. A COVERED EMPLOYER MAY NOT COMPEL OR COERCE AN INDIVIDUAL TO SELF-
IDENTIFY AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.
5. A COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL KEEP ALL INFORMATION ON SELF-IDENTIFICA-
TION CONFIDENTIAL, AND SHALL MAINTAIN IT IN A DATA ANALYSIS FILE (RATHER
THAN IN THE MEDICAL FILES OF INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES). THE COVERED EMPLOYER
SHALL PROVIDE SELF-IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UPON REQUEST. SELF-IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION MAY BE USED ONLY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE.
6. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL RELIEVE THE COVERED EMPLOYER OF ITS
OBLIGATION TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THOSE APPLICANTS
OR EMPLOYEES OF WHOSE DISABILITY THE COVERED EMPLOYER HAS KNOWLEDGE.
§ 369-EE. REPORT. THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND
REGULATIONS REQUIRING EVERY COVERED EMPLOYER TO REPORT, ONE YEAR AFTER
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ON THE REPRESENTATION OF INDI-
VIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN ITS WORKFORCE AND THE RESULTS OF
ACTION-ORIENTED PLANS TO IMPROVE SUCH REPRESENTATION.
§ 2. The legislative law is amended by adding a new section 9-a to
read as follows:
§ 9-A. PARTICIPATION BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITH RESPECT TO
LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYMENT. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOW-
ING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN:
(I) WITH RESPECT TO AN INDIVIDUAL:
(1) A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE OR
MORE MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES OF SUCH INDIVIDUAL;
(2) A RECORD OF SUCH AN IMPAIRMENT; OR
(3) BEING REGARDED AS HAVING SUCH AN IMPAIRMENT;
(II) AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE DEFINITION OF "DISABILITY" SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF BROAD COVERAGE OF INDIVIDUALS, TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL MEETS THE
DEFINITION UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHOULD NOT DEMAND EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS;
(III) AN IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY
NEED NOT LIMIT OTHER MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED A
DISABILITY;
(IV) AN IMPAIRMENT THAT IS EPISODIC OR IN REMISSION IS A DISABILITY IF
IT WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY WHEN ACTIVE;
(B) "JOINT LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYER" SHALL MEAN ANY LEGISLATIVE ENTITY
WITH FIFTY OR MORE EMPLOYEES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LEGISLATIVE
COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, TASK FORCES (IRRESPECTIVE OF INTENDED OR ACTUAL
DURATION), JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONS, COUNCILS OR SIMILAR BODIES
WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS COMPRISED OF BOTH SENATORS AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, OR
WHICH CONSIST OF COMMISSIONERS, OR THE MAJORITY OF WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS
APPOINTED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF
THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
A. 3137 6
SENATE AND/OR THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND OFFICERS AND
EMPLOYEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY, LEGISLATIVE HEALTH SERVICE, LEGIS-
LATIVE MESSENGER SERVICE;
(C) "LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEE" SHALL MEAN:
(I) AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE SENATE;
(II) AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE ASSEMBLY; OR
(III) AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF A JOINT LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYER;
(D) "MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES" SHALL MEAN:
(I) CARING FOR ONESELF, PERFORMING MANUAL TASKS, SEEING, HEARING,
EATING, SLEEPING, WALKING, STANDING, SITTING, REACHING, LIFTING, BEND-
ING, SPEAKING, BREATHING, LEARNING, READING, CONCENTRATING, THINKING,
COMMUNICATING, INTERACTING WITH OTHERS, AND WORKING; AND
(II) THE OPERATION OF A MAJOR BODILY FUNCTION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, FUNCTIONS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, SPECIAL SENSE ORGANS AND
SKIN, NORMAL CELL GROWTH, DIGESTIVE, GENITOURINARY, BOWEL, BLADDER,
NEUROLOGICAL, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY, CIRCULATORY, CARDIOVASCULAR, ENDOC-
RINE, HEMIC, LYMPHATIC, MUSCULOSKELETAL, AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS. THE
OPERATION OF A MAJOR BODILY FUNCTION INCLUDES THE OPERATION OF AN INDI-
VIDUAL ORGAN WITHIN A BODY SYSTEM;
(E) "PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT" SHALL MEAN:
(I) ANY PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDER, OR CONDITION, COSMETIC DISFIGUREMENT,
OR ANATOMICAL LOSS AFFECTING ONE OR MORE BODY SYSTEMS SUCH AS NEUROLOGI-
CAL, MUSCULOSKELETAL, SPECIAL SENSE ORGANS, RESPIRATORY (INCLUDING
SPEECH ORGANS), CARDIOVASCULAR, REPRODUCTIVE, DIGESTIVE, GENITOURINARY,
IMMUNE, CIRCULATORY, HEMIC, LYMPHATIC, SKIN, AND ENDOCRINE; OR
(II) ANY MENTAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER, SUCH AS AN INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITY, ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROME, EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL ILLNESS, AND
SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES; AND
(F) "STATE LEGISLATURE" OR "LEGISLATURE" MEANS THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING ANY COMMITTEE, SUBCOMMITTEE, JOINT COMMIT-
TEE, SELECT COMMITTEE, OR COMMISSION THEREOF WITH FIFTY OR MORE EMPLOY-
EES.
2. THE STATE LEGISLATURE SHALL NOT DISCRIMINATE BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL OR
MENTAL DISABILITY AND SHALL TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO EMPLOY AND
ADVANCE IN EMPLOYMENT QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT ALL
LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING TAKING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO ACHIEVE
SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AS LEGISLATIVE
EMPLOYEES.
3. (A) THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE SHALL ANNUALLY EVALUATE THE LEGISLATURE'S EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVID-
UALS WITH DISABILITIES.
(B) UPON A FINDING THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT MEETING THE GOAL OF
SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SHALL TAKE STEPS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AND WHERE
IMPEDIMENTS TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EXIST. WHEN MAKING THIS
DETERMINATION, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT
OF THE SENATE SHALL ASSESS ITS PERSONNEL PROCESSES, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
ITS OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, THE RESULTS OF ITS AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION EVALUATION, AND ANY OTHER AREAS THAT MIGHT AFFECT ITS SUCCESS IN
EMPLOYMENT.
4. THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE SHALL DEVELOP AND EXECUTE ACTION-ORIENTED PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO
CORRECT ANY AREAS IDENTIFIED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. THESE
ACTION-ORIENTED PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE THE MODIFICATION OF PERSONNEL PROC-
ESSES TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISA-
BILITIES, ALTERNATIVE OR ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS,
A. 3137 7
AND/OR OTHER ACTIONS DESIGNED TO CORRECT THE IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AREAS
AND ATTAIN THE ESTABLISHED GOAL.
5. THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE'S DETERMINATION THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT ATTAINED THE EMPLOY-
MENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE EITHER A FINDING OR ADMISSION OF DISCRIMINATION IN VIOLATION
OF THIS SECTION.
6. THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION
SHALL NOT BE USED AS A QUOTA OR CEILING THAT LIMITS OR RESTRICTS THE
EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
7. THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS, SHALL PERIODICALLY REVIEW AND UPDATE, AS APPROPRIATE, THE
EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
8. (A) AS PART OF THE LEGISLATURE'S AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY, IT
SHALL INVITE APPLICANTS TO INFORM THE LEGISLATURE WHETHER THE APPLICANT
BELIEVES THAT HE OR SHE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION. THIS INVITATION SHALL BE PROVIDED TO
EACH APPLICANT WHEN THE APPLICANT APPLIES OR IS CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOY-
MENT. THE INVITATION MAY BE INCLUDED WITH THE APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR
A POSITION, BUT SHALL BE SEPARATE FROM THE APPLICATION.
(B) THE LEGISLATURE SHALL INVITE AN APPLICANT TO SELF-IDENTIFY AS
REQUIRED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION USING THE LANGUAGE AND
MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
WEBSITE.
9. (A) AT ANY TIME AFTER THE OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT, BUT BEFORE THE
APPLICANT BEGINS HIS OR HER JOB DUTIES, THE LEGISLATURE SHALL INVITE THE
APPLICANT TO INFORM THE LEGISLATURE WHETHER THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT
HE OR SHE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION
ONE OF THIS SECTION.
(B) THE LEGISLATURE SHALL INVITE AN APPLICANT TO SELF-IDENTIFY AS
REQUIRED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION USING THE LANGUAGE AND
MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
WEBSITE.
10. THE LEGISLATURE SHALL INVITE EACH OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO VOLUNTARILY
INFORM THE LEGISLATURE WHETHER THE EMPLOYEE BELIEVES THAT HE OR SHE IS
AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION. THIS INVITATION SHALL BE EXTENDED THE FIRST YEAR THE LEGISLA-
TURE BECOMES SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION AND AT FIVE
YEAR INTERVALS, THEREAFTER, USING THE LANGUAGE AND MANNER PRESCRIBED BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S WEBSITE. AT LEAST
ONCE DURING THE INTERVENING YEARS BETWEEN THESE INVITATIONS, THE LEGIS-
LATURE SHALL REMIND ITS EMPLOYEES THAT THEY MAY VOLUNTARILY UPDATE THEIR
DISABILITY STATUS.
11. THE LEGISLATURE MAY NOT COMPEL OR COERCE AN INDIVIDUAL TO SELF-I-
DENTIFY AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.
12. THE LEGISLATURE SHALL KEEP ALL INFORMATION ON SELF-IDENTIFICATION
CONFIDENTIAL, AND SHALL MAINTAIN IT IN A DATA ANALYSIS FILE (RATHER THAN
IN THE MEDICAL FILES OF INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES). THE LEGISLATURE SHALL
PROVIDE SELF-IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR UPON
REQUEST. SELF-IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION MAY BE USED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THIS SECTION.
A. 3137 8
13. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL RELIEVE THE LEGISLATURE OF ITS OBLI-
GATION TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THOSE APPLICANTS OR
EMPLOYEES OF WHOSE DISABILITY THE LEGISLATURE HAS KNOWLEDGE.
14. ONE YEAR FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE LEGISLATURE
SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ON THE REPRESENTATION OF INDI-
VIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN ITS WORKFORCE AND THE RESULTS OF
ACTION-ORIENTED PLANS TO IMPROVE SUCH REPRESENTATION.
§ 3. The judiciary law is amended by adding a new section 219-e to
read as follows:
§ 219-E. PARTICIPATION BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITH RESPECT
TO JUDICIAL EMPLOYMENT. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOW-
ING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "DISABILITY" SHALL MEAN:
(I) WITH RESPECT TO AN INDIVIDUAL:
(1) A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE OR
MORE MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES OF SUCH INDIVIDUAL;
(2) A RECORD OF SUCH AN IMPAIRMENT; OR
(3) BEING REGARDED AS HAVING SUCH AN IMPAIRMENT;
(II) AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE DEFINITION OF "DISABILITY" SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF BROAD COVERAGE OF INDIVIDUALS, TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL MEETS THE
DEFINITION UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHOULD NOT DEMAND EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS.
(III) AN IMPAIRMENT THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY
NEED NOT LIMIT OTHER MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED A
DISABILITY.
(IV) AN IMPAIRMENT THAT IS EPISODIC OR IN REMISSION IS A DISABILITY IF
IT WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY WHEN ACTIVE;
(B) "MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES" SHALL MEAN:
(I) CARING FOR ONESELF, PERFORMING MANUAL TASKS, SEEING, HEARING,
EATING, SLEEPING, WALKING, STANDING, SITTING, REACHING, LIFTING, BEND-
ING, SPEAKING, BREATHING, LEARNING, READING, CONCENTRATING, THINKING,
COMMUNICATING, INTERACTING WITH OTHERS, AND WORKING; AND
(II) THE OPERATION OF A MAJOR BODILY FUNCTION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, FUNCTIONS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, SPECIAL SENSE ORGANS AND
SKIN, NORMAL CELL GROWTH, DIGESTIVE, GENITOURINARY, BOWEL, BLADDER,
NEUROLOGICAL, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY, CIRCULATORY, CARDIOVASCULAR, ENDOC-
RINE, HEMIC, LYMPHATIC, MUSCULOSKELETAL, AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS. THE
OPERATION OF A MAJOR BODILY FUNCTION INCLUDES THE OPERATION OF AN INDI-
VIDUAL ORGAN WITHIN A BODY SYSTEM;
(C) "NON-JUDICIAL EMPLOYEE" SHALL MEAN ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE
UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM WHO IS NOT A JUDGE OR JUSTICE; AND
(D) "PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT" SHALL MEAN:
(I) ANY PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDER, OR CONDITION, COSMETIC DISFIGUREMENT,
OR ANATOMICAL LOSS AFFECTING ONE OR MORE BODY SYSTEMS SUCH AS NEUROLOGI-
CAL, MUSCULOSKELETAL, SPECIAL SENSE ORGANS, RESPIRATORY (INCLUDING
SPEECH ORGANS), CARDIOVASCULAR, REPRODUCTIVE, DIGESTIVE, GENITOURINARY,
IMMUNE, CIRCULATORY, HEMIC, LYMPHATIC, SKIN, AND ENDOCRINE; OR
(II) ANY MENTAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER, SUCH AS AN INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITY, ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROME, EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL ILLNESS, AND
SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES.
2. THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM SHALL NOT DISCRIMINATE BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL
OR MENTAL DISABILITY AND SHALL TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO EMPLOY AND
ADVANCE IN EMPLOYMENT QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT ALL
LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING TAKING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO ACHIEVE
SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM OF INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES AS NON-JUDICIAL EMPLOYEES.
A. 3137 9
3. (A) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS SHALL ANNUALLY EVALUATE
THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM'S EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
(B) UPON A FINDING THAT THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM IS NOT MEETING THE
GOAL OF SEVEN PERCENT EMPLOYMENT, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL TAKE
STEPS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AND WHERE IMPEDIMENTS TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY EXIST. WHEN MAKING THIS DETERMINATION, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRA-
TOR SHALL ASSESS THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM'S PERSONNEL PROCESSES, THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, THE RESULTS OF
ITS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EVALUATION, AND ANY OTHER AREAS THAT MIGHT AFFECT
ITS SUCCESS IN EMPLOYMENT.
4. THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL DEVELOP AND EXECUTE ACTION-ORIENTED
PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO CORRECT ANY AREAS IDENTIFIED IN SUBDIVISION THREE
OF THIS SECTION. THESE ACTION-ORIENTED PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE THE MODIFI-
CATION OF PERSONNEL PROCESSES TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, ALTERNATIVE OR ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AND
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, AND/OR OTHER ACTIONS DESIGNED TO CORRECT THE IDEN-
TIFIED PROBLEM AREAS AND ATTAIN THE ESTABLISHED GOAL.
5. THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR'S DETERMINATION THAT THE UNIFIED COURT
SYSTEM HAS NOT ATTAINED THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION
TWO OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE EITHER A FINDING OR ADMISSION OF
DISCRIMINATION IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.
6. THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION
SHALL NOT BE USED AS A QUOTA OR CEILING THAT LIMITS OR RESTRICTS THE
EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
7. THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS, SHALL PERIODICALLY REVIEW AND UPDATE, AS APPROPRIATE, THE
EMPLOYMENT GOAL ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
8. (A) AS PART OF THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM'S AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLI-
CY, IT SHALL INVITE APPLICANTS TO INFORM THE EMPLOYER WHETHER THE APPLI-
CANT BELIEVES THAT HE OR SHE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION. THIS INVITATION SHALL BE
PROVIDED TO EACH APPLICANT WHEN THE APPLICANT APPLIES OR IS CONSIDERED
FOR EMPLOYMENT. THE INVITATION MAY BE INCLUDED WITH THE APPLICATION
MATERIALS FOR A POSITION, BUT SHALL BE SEPARATE FROM THE APPLICATION.
(B) THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM SHALL INVITE AN APPLICANT TO SELF-IDENTI-
FY AS REQUIRED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION USING THE LANGUAGE
AND MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
WEBSITE.
9. (A) AT ANY TIME AFTER THE OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT, BUT BEFORE THE
APPLICANT BEGINS HIS OR HER JOB DUTIES, THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM SHALL
INVITE THE APPLICANT TO INFORM THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM WHETHER THE
APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT HE OR SHE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
(B) THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM SHALL INVITE AN APPLICANT TO SELF-IDENTI-
FY AS REQUIRED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION USING THE LANGUAGE
AND MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
WEBSITE.
10. THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM SHALL INVITE EACH OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO
VOLUNTARILY INFORM THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM WHETHER THE EMPLOYEE
BELIEVES THAT HE OR SHE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION. THIS INVITATION SHALL BE EXTENDED THE
FIRST YEAR THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM BECOMES SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THIS SECTION AND AT FIVE YEAR INTERVALS, THEREAFTER, USING THE
LANGUAGE AND MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, IN CONSULTA-
A. 3137 10
TION WITH THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PUBLISHED ON THE DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR'S WEBSITE. AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE INTERVENING YEARS BETWEEN
THESE INVITATIONS, THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM SHALL REMIND ITS EMPLOYEES
THAT THEY MAY VOLUNTARILY UPDATE THEIR DISABILITY STATUS.
11. THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM MAY NOT COMPEL OR COERCE AN INDIVIDUAL TO
SELF-IDENTIFY AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.
12. THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM SHALL KEEP ALL INFORMATION ON SELF-IDEN-
TIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL, AND SHALL MAINTAIN IT IN A DATA ANALYSIS FILE
(RATHER THAN IN THE MEDICAL FILES OF INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES). THE UNIFIED
COURT SYSTEM SHALL PROVIDE SELF-IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR UPON REQUEST. SELF-IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION MAY BE
USED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.
13. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL RELIEVE THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM OF
ITS OBLIGATION TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THOSE APPLI-
CANTS OR EMPLOYEES OF WHOSE DISABILITY IT HAS KNOWLEDGE.
14. ONE YEAR FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE UNIFIED
COURT SYSTEM SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE LEGISLATURE
ON THE REPRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN ITS WORK-
FORCE AND THE RESULTS OF ACTION-ORIENTED PLANS TO IMPROVE SUCH REPRESEN-
TATION.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.