S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7895
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               July 19, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Governmental Operations
 
 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-
 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

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD07517-01-3
              

 A. 7895                             2
 
 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.
   3.  Current  state  policy  impacting  the  childcare industry and the
 access or availability of child care in all areas of the state.
 A. 7895                             3
 
   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.

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7895--A
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               July 19, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  SIMON,  CRUZ,  DAVILA, SANTABARBARA, TAYLOR,
   WEPRIN, LEVENBERG, ZACCARO, ALVAREZ, REYES -- read once  and  referred
   to  the  Committee  on  Governmental  Operations -- recommitted to the
   Committee on Governmental Operations in accordance with Assembly  Rule
   3,  sec. 2 -- 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 $0.50
 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

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD07517-02-4
              

 A. 7895--A                          2
 
 are  key  to their families' economic security and survival.  Across the
 country, mothers are breadwinners in almost half of families with  chil-
 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; (h) one member, who shall be appointed by
 the temporary president of the senate; (i)  one  member,  who  shall  be
 appointed  by  the  minority leader of the assembly; and (j) one member,
 who shall be appointed by the minority leader 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.
 A. 7895--A                          3
 
   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.
   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.