S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5488--A
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
March 9, 2021
___________
Introduced by Sens. BIAGGI, GOUNARDES, SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor --
committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to establish the Marshall plan for moms interagency task force;
and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration there-
of
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The Legislature finds that any relief
and long-term recovery from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandem-
ic must recognize the disproportionate burden mothers have weathered.
Women, especially mothers, have faced the brunt of the economic chal-
lenges of the pandemic due to social barriers and policy failures that
have been compounded by enduring racism and gender injustices, including
the lack of care infrastructure, lack of family-supportive workplaces,
and gender and racial pay inequities.
Women continue to face unjust gender and racial wage gaps, and are
overrepresented in low-wage jobs, despite their gains in workforce
participation. Asian-American and Pacific Islander women, particularly
Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander women, get paid as little as $.50
for every dollar a White man makes. Black women make only $0.63 for
every dollar a White man makes, and as a result may lose $946,000 in
their lifetimes. Latina women earn $0.55 for every dollar earned by a
White man, and as a result may lose over $1,100,000 in wages over the
course of a 40-year career. Native American women are paid $0.60 for
every dollar a White man makes and are murdered at 10 times the rate of
the national average, even though financial independence and security
can increase chances of escaping violence for these women. Women's wages
are key to their families' economic security and survival. Across the
country, mothers are breadwinners in almost half of families with chil-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10250-02-1
S. 5488--A 2
dren under 18, even though mothers face a greater pay gap than women as
a whole. Even prior to the pandemic, working mothers faced continued
biases and stigmas in the workplace that caregiving responsibilities
will negatively impact their work performance.
Women have suffered the majority of pandemic-related job losses.
Since February 2020, women have lost over 5,400,000 net jobs and account
for 55% of overall net job loss since the beginning of the crisis. Women
of color are experiencing higher rates of job loss than White women.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics January 2021 unemployment
data, the jobless rate for Black women and Latina women aged 20 and over
is over 60% higher than their White counterparts. Asian Americans
recorded the highest jobless rates among women in the last 6 months of
2020, even though before the pandemic their average unemployment rate
was the lowest.
Women face a disproportionate burden of caregiving responsibilities.
Mothers are three times more likely than fathers to be responsible for
most of the caregiving and household work. Single mothers are more
likely than other parents to take care of all housework and childcare
responsibilities in their household, and are more likely than other
mothers to experience financial insecurity.
Throughout the pandemic, women of color have played integral roles on
the frontlines as essential workers, including as nursing assistants,
home health aides, and child care educators.
The unprecedented burdens of child care, work, and remote learning
have strained mental and emotional health for mothers. These points of
stressor are compounded by financial instability, racial injustice,
being a single parent, having children with special needs, and many
other factors.
§ 2. 1. There is hereby established an interagency task force hereby
known as the Marshall plan for moms intergency task force which shall
consist of the following members or their designees: (a) the commission-
er of the department of labor, who shall serve as chair; (b) the commis-
sioner of the department of social services; (c) the chair of the work-
ers' compensation board; (d) the commissioner of the department of
health; (e) the director of the division of human rights; (f) two
members, who shall be appointed by the governor, one upon the recommen-
dation of the New York State American Federation of Labor and Congress
of Industrial Organizations and one upon the recommendation of the New
York State Business Council; (g) one member, who shall be appointed by
the speaker of the assembly; and (h) one member, who shall be appointed
by the temporary president of the senate.
2. The interagency task force shall meet as often as is necessary, but
no less than once per month and where otherwise appropriate to fulfill-
ing its duties under this chapter. The members of the commission shall
serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for
all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
§ 3. The Marshall plan for moms interagency task force shall examine
the following policy areas and issue proposals and recommendations ther-
eon:
1. The utilization of recurring payments or financial assistance to
mothers and other caregivers and any equivalent policies under all
current state and federal programs.
2. The current utilization rates and impacts of the state paid family
leave program as well as specific impacts of the program on mothers and
other caregivers.
S. 5488--A 3
3. Current state policy impacting the childcare industry and the
access or availability of child care in all areas of the state.
4. The availability and access to unemployment for New Yorkers who
have left a job or worked reduced hours in order to take on caregiving
responsibilities.
5. The impact of any new policies imposed by the federal government or
by state or local officials during the COVID-19 pandemic that have
impacted mothers and other caregivers in the workforce.
6. The availability and access to mental health support for mothers
and other caregivers, and the impact of access or availability to mental
health support on such families.
7. The access and availability of all such programs for immigrant
families, and the impact of inaccessibility or unavailability of any
such programs on immigrant families and the state.
8. Any other areas the task force deems relevant in the review of
policies that may impact mothers and other caregivers.
§ 4. Within one year of the effective date of this act, in carrying
out its functions, the task force shall hold five public hearings around
the state to foster discussions among, and conduct formal public hear-
ings with requisite public notice to solicit input and recommendations
from statewide and regional stakeholder interests. The task force shall
also accept public input in writing. The task force may utilize remote
access such as web conferencing in order to comply with the provisions
of this section.
§ 5. Within two years of the effective date of this act the task force
shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor, the
temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, and
shall publicize its findings on a website provided by the department of
labor.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed 3 years after such date.
