BILL NUMBER: S331

SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to prohibiting employers
from seeking graduation dates from prospective employees

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this legislation is to address the rampant age discrimi-
nation that occurs during the hiring process.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new subdivision 20 to Section 296 of the Executive Law
that makes it unlawful for hiring entities or their employees or agents
to inquire about the high school, college, or graduate program gradu-
ation dates of prospective employees during the hiring process.

Section 2 is the effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Our society is becoming increasingly aware about discrimination on all
levels. Employment discrimination is particularly insidious, and it is
becoming clearer that discrimination against older adults is limiting
their access to job opportunities.

As we know, every workplace can benefit from the strengths of individ-
uals who have experienced a lifetime of work. Older adults can be a
tremendous resource in every workplace. To ensure that each individual
is given the fairest opportunity for work, it is important to remove
information that can be used to determine the applicant's age.

Therefore, this bill would prohibit employers from asking the high
school, college, or graduate school graduation dates for applicants.
This bill will level the playing field for applicants and give employers
the benefit of hiring the most worthy employees.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022: S.2003 - Referred to Investigations and Government
Operations/A.1051 - Referred to Governmental Operations

2019-2020: S.6900 - Referred to Investigations and Government
Operations/A.9579 - Referred to Governmental Operations

 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a
law.