NY State Senate Bill 2023-S8797B

Senate Bill S8797B

2023-2024 Legislative Session

Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 07, 2024	referred to ways and means
Jun 06, 2024	delivered to assembly passed senate ordered to third reading cal.1890 committee discharged and committed to rules
Jun 03, 2024	print number 8797b
Jun 03, 2024	amend (t) and recommit to labor
May 07, 2024	print number 8797a
May 07, 2024	amend and recommit to labor
Mar 12, 2024	referred to labor

Votes

- Jun 6, 2024 - Floor Vote
  S8797B
  
  61
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  1
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 6, 2024
      
      aye (61)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Ashby
      
      Bailey
      
      Borrello
      
      Breslin
      
      Brisport
      
      Brouk
      
      Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
      
      Chu
      
      Cleare
      
      Comrie
      
      Cooney
      
      Felder
      
      Fernandez
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gonzalez
      
      Gounardes
      
      Griffo
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hinchey
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jackson
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Krueger
      
      Lanza
      
      Liu
      
      Mannion
      
      Martinez
      
      Martins
      
      Mattera
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Murray
      
      Myrie
      
      O'Mara
      
      Oberacker
      
      Ortt
      
      Palumbo
      
      Parker
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Rhoads
      
      Rivera
      
      Rolison
      
      Ryan
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Scarcella-Spanton
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serrano
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stec
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Tedisco
      
      Thomas
      
      Webb
      
      Weber
      
      Weik
      
      excused (1)
      
      Walczyk
  Jun 6, 2024 - Rules Committee Vote
  S8797B
  
  19
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  1
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Rules Committee Vote: Jun 6, 2024
      
      aye (19)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Bailey
      
      Breslin
      
      Comrie
      
      Fernandez
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Griffo
      
      Krueger
      
      Lanza
      
      Liu
      
      Mayer
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Stec
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Thomas
      
      aye wr (1)
      
      Helming

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

2023-S8797 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9131
Current Committee:: Assembly Ways And Means
Law Section:: Labor
Versions Introduced in 2025-2026 Legislative Session:: A38

2023-S8797 - Summary

Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

2023-S8797 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8797

SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor
to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employ-
ers that have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to direct the Department of Labor to estab-
lish a voluntary training and certification program for employers that
have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would direct the Department of Labor, in consul-
tation with the Office of Employee Relations and the Office of the Chief
Disability Officer, to establish a voluntary training and certification
program for employers that have taken the Neurodiversity Pledge, and to
develop and manage such program.

Section 2 provides that the effective date shall be the thirtieth day
after this bill shall have become a law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Recently, new statutes have been enacted and initiatives launched to
improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities, and to enhance their
employment opportunities; examples include, but are not limited to, the
expansion of the 55 b/c Program. Both the public and private sector are
engaged in these efforts as well. The success of implementation of such
statutes and initiatives depend, in large measure, upon neurodiversity
training and neurodiverse workforce hiring.

Increasing further awareness and knowledge of the various forms of
neurodivergence helps improve training for employees and employers in
ensuring the workplace is highly accessible for individuals with disa-
bilities. Positive inter-work relations and productivity are vital to
career and employment success, yet currently, individuals with disabili-
ties may not stand on an equal playing ground while tackling these
goals. Being familiar with disabilities and knowing how to accommodate
them is a necessity for all workplaces, and is long overdue for enact-
ment. Therefore, this bill would direct various offices to pursue a
shared effort of establishing a training and certification program for
employers who have taken the Neurodiversity Pledge, which is a pledge to
be more inclusive.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

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

2023-S8797 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8797
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 12, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. MANNION -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
 
 AN ACT in relation to directing the New York State Department  of  Labor
   to  establish  a  voluntary  training  and  certification  program for
   employers that have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. a. The New York State Department of Labor, in consultation
 with the Office of Employee Relations and the Office of the Chief  Disa-
 bility  Officer  shall  establish a voluntary training and certification
 program for employers that have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge
 and that support an inclusive workplace and the advantages of a neurodi-
 verse workforce. The program shall  promote  techniques  and  strategies
 employers  can  implement  to  increase neurodiversity in the employer's
 workforce through neurodiverse hiring  and  training  supply  chains  by
 working  with  companies that employ neurodiverse individuals with disa-
 bilities.
   b. The Department of Labor will develop and manage the  program.    As
 part  of  the  program, the Department of Labor will develop a series of
 online/virtual  training  programs  for  employers  for  key  components
 related to training employers on topics including:
   (i)  workforce sensitivity training regarding people with neurological
 differences such as Autism, ADHD,  dyslexia,  and  other  neurodivergent
 neurotypes;
   (ii) recognition of the advantages of neurodiversity and a neuroinclu-
 sive  workforce and workplace which promotes success for the business or
 organization through creativity and innovation;
   (iii) commitment to consider and interview for employment neurodiverse
 individuals and appropriate job opening advertisements;
   (iv) workplace inclusion of neurodiverse individuals;
   (v) supply chain neurodiversity to the extent practicable;
   (vi) providing reasonable accommodations to neurodiverse employees;
   (vii) website accessibility;

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14460-01-4

 S. 8797                             2
 
   (viii) understanding of tax credits and other financial incentives for
 fulfilling the Neurodiversity Training Pledge;
   (ix) supply chain diversity;
   (x) the role of job coaches in assisting employers; and
   (xi)  corporate  partnership  training  for  employers for purposes of
 qualifying for preferred source procurement status.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day  after  it  shall
 have become a law.

2023-S8797A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9131
Current Committee:: Assembly Ways And Means
Law Section:: Labor
Versions Introduced in 2025-2026 Legislative Session:: A38

2023-S8797A - Summary

Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

2023-S8797A - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8797A

SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor
to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employ-
ers that have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to direct the Department of Labor to estab-
lish a voluntary training and certification program for employers that
have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would direct the Department of Labor, in consul-
tation with the Office of Employee Relations, the Office for People with
Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, the Justice
Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the Council on
Developmental Disabilities, Access VR, and the Office of the Chief Disa-

bility Officer, to establish a voluntary training and certification
program for employers that have taken the Neurodiversity Pledge, and to
develop and manage such program.

Section 2 provides that the effective date shall be the thirtieth day
after this bill shall have become a law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Recently, new statutes have been enacted and initiatives launched to
improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities, and to enhance their
employment opportunities; examples include, but are not limited to, the
expansion of the 55 b/c Program. Both the public and private sector are
engaged in these efforts as well. The success of implementation of such
statutes and initiatives depend, in large measure, upon neurodiversity
training and neurodiverse workforce hiring.

Increasing further awareness and knowledge of the various forms of
neurodivergence helps improve training for employees and employers in
ensuring the workplace is highly accessible for individuals with disa-
bilities. Positive inter-work relations and productivity are vital to
career and employment success, yet currently, individuals with disabili-
ties may not stand on an equal playing ground while tackling these
goals. Being familiar with disabilities and knowing how to accommodate
them is a necessity for all workplaces, and is long overdue for enact-
ment. Therefore, this bill would direct various offices to pursue a
shared effort of establishing a training and certification program for
employers who have taken the Neurodiversity Pledge, which is a pledge to
be more inclusive.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.

2023-S8797A - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8797--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 12, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. MANNION -- 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  in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor
   to establish  a  voluntary  training  and  certification  program  for
   employers that have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. a. The New York State Department of Labor, in  consultation
 with the Office of Employee Relations, the Office for People with Devel-
 opmental  Disabilities,  the Office of Mental Health, the Justice Center
 for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the Council on Develop-
 mental Disabilities, Access VR, and the Office of the  Chief  Disability
 Officer,  shall establish a voluntary training and certification program
 for employers that have taken the  Neurodiversity  Training  Pledge  and
 that support an inclusive workplace and the advantages of a neurodiverse
 workforce. The program shall promote techniques and strategies employers
 can  implement  to  increase  neurodiversity in the employer's workforce
 through neurodiverse hiring and training supply chains by  working  with
 companies that employ neurodiverse individuals with disabilities.
   b.  The  Department  of Labor will develop and manage the program.  As
 part of the program, the Department of Labor will develop  a  series  of
 online/virtual  training  programs  for  employers  for  key  components
 related to training employers on topics including:
   (i) workforce sensitivity training regarding people with  neurological
 differences  such  as  Autism,  ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent
 neurotypes;
   (ii) recognition of the advantages of neurodiversity and a neuroinclu-
 sive workforce and workplace which promotes success for the business  or
 organization through creativity and innovation;
   (iii) commitment to consider and interview for employment neurodiverse
 individuals and appropriate job opening advertisements;
   (iv) workplace inclusion of neurodiverse individuals;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14460-03-4
 S. 8797--A                          2
 
   (v) supply chain neurodiversity to the extent practicable;
   (vi) providing reasonable accommodations to neurodiverse employees;
   (vii) website accessibility;
   (viii) understanding of tax credits and other financial incentives for
 fulfilling the Neurodiversity Training Pledge;
   (ix) supply chain diversity;
   (x) the role of job coaches in assisting employers; and
   (xi)  corporate  partnership  training  for  employers for purposes of
 qualifying for preferred source procurement status.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
 have become a law.

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9131
Current Committee:: Assembly Ways And Means
Law Section:: Labor
Versions Introduced in 2025-2026 Legislative Session:: A38

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8797B

SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor
to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employ-
ers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to direct the Department of Labor to estab-
lish a voluntary training and certification program for employers that
have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would direct the Department of Labor, in consul-
tation with the Office of Employee Relations, the Office for People with
Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, the Justice
Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the Council on
Developmental Disabilities, Access VR, the Office of the Chief Disabili-

ty Officer, and any other relevant groups as deemed necessary to estab-
lish a voluntary training program and certification for employers, enti-
tled the Neurodiversity Pledge, to support an inclusive workplace and
the advantages of a neurodiverse workforce.

Section 2 provides that the effective date shall take effect on the
ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Recently, new statutes have been enacted and initiatives launched to
improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities, and to enhance their
employment opportunities; examples include, but are not limited to, the
expansion of the 55 b/c Program. Both the public and private sector are
engaged in these efforts as well. The success of implementation of such
statutes and initiatives depend, in large measure, upon neurodiversity
training and neurodiverse workforce hiring.

Increasing further awareness and knowledge of the various forms of
neurodivergence helps improve training for employees and employers in
ensuring the workplace is highly accessible for individuals with disa-
bilities. Positive inter-work relations and productivity are vital to
career and employment success, yet currently, individuals with disabili-
ties may not stand on an equal playing field while tackling these goals.
Being familiar with disabilities and knowing how to accommodate them is
a necessity for all workplaces, and is long overdue for enactment.
Therefore, this bill would direct various offices to pursue a shared
effort of establishing a training and certification program for employ-
ers who have taken the Neurodiversity Pledge, which is a pledge to be
more inclusive.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

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

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8797--B
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 12, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. MANNION -- 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  --  committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

 AN ACT in relation to directing the New York State Department  of  Labor
   to  establish  a  voluntary  training  and  certification  program for
   employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. a. The New York State Department of Labor, in consultation
 with the Office of Employee Relations, the Office for People with Devel-
 opmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health, the  Justice  Center
 for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the Council on Develop-
 mental  Disabilities, Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vo-
 cational Rehabilitation (ACCESS-VR), the Office of the Chief  Disability
 Officer, and any other relevant groups as deemed necessary, shall estab-
 lish a voluntary training program and certification for employers, enti-
 tled  the  Neurodiversity Training Pledge, to support an inclusive work-
 place and the advantages of a neurodiverse workforce. Such certification
 shall be awarded upon completion of the training program.  The  training
 program  shall promote techniques and strategies employers can implement
 to increase neurodiversity in the workplace.
   b. The Department of Labor shall develop an online or virtual training
 program for employers which shall address key topics including:
   (i) education  and  instruction  on  workplace  sensitivity  regarding
 neurological  conditions  such  as  autism spectrum disorder, attention-
 deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other conditions;
   (ii) recognition of the advantages of neurodiversity and a neuroinclu-
 sive workforce and workplace which promotes success  through  creativity
 and innovation;
   (iii)  strategies  for  creating an inclusive and supportive interview
 process;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14460-05-4

 S. 8797--B                          2
 
   (iv) recommendation  on  workplace  inclusion  and  accessibility  for
 neurodiverse individuals;
   (v) providing reasonable accommodations to neurodiverse employees;
   (vi) website accessibility; and
   (vii) corporate partnership training for employers for the purposes of
 qualifying for preferred source procurement status.
   §  2.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
 have become a law.

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Senate Bill S8797B

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Sponsored By

John W. Mannion

Current Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

Bill Amendments

2023-S8797 - Details

2023-S8797 - Summary

2023-S8797 - Sponsor Memo

2023-S8797 - Bill Text download pdf

2023-S8797A - Details

2023-S8797A - Summary

2023-S8797A - Sponsor Memo

2023-S8797A - Bill Text download pdf

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S8797B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments