S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6983
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              March 28, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. TITONE, STECK, WEINSTEIN, SEPULVEDA -- read once
   and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
 
 AN ACT to amend the civil practice law and rules, in relation  to  arbi-
   tration agreements
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. Article 75 of the civil practice law and rules  is  amended
 by adding a new section 7500 to read as follows:
   § 7500. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE:
   (A) "ARBITRATION" MEANS A FORM OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION THAT IS AN ALTER-
 NATIVE  TO  LITIGATION,  IN  WHICH  THE PARTIES AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE
 DETERMINATION OF A NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY ARBITRATOR.
   (B) "NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY ARBITRATOR" MEANS AN ARBITRATOR OR  PANEL  OF
 ARBITRATORS  EACH  OF WHOM DOES NOT HAVE AN UNDISCLOSED KNOWN, DIRECT OR
 MATERIAL INTEREST, INCLUDING A FINANCIAL OR  PERSONAL  INTEREST  IN  THE
 OUTCOME  OF  THE  ARBITRATION  PROCEEDING,  OR A KNOWN, EXISTING OR PAST
 RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY OF THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT  TO  ARBITRATE  OR
 THE ARBITRATION PROCEEDING, THEIR COUNSEL OR REPRESENTATIVES, A WITNESS,
 OR ANOTHER ARBITRATOR.
   (C)  "EMPLOYMENT"  MEANS  A  RELATIONSHIP  BETWEEN  AN EMPLOYER AND AN
 EMPLOYEE AS DEFINED IN SECTION THREE OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT  OF
 1938 (29 U.S.C. § 203).
   (D) "CONSUMER" MEANS A NATURAL PERSON RESIDING IN THIS STATE.
   (E)  "CONSUMER GOODS" MEANS GOODS, WARES, PAID MERCHANDISE OR SERVICES
 PURCHASED OR PAID FOR BY A CONSUMER, THE  INTENDED  USE  OR  BENEFIT  OF
 WHICH IS INTENDED FOR THE PERSONAL, FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES OF SUCH
 CONSUMER.
   §  2.  Section 7501 of the civil practice law and rules, as amended by
 chapter 532 of the laws of 1963, is amended to read as follows:
   § 7501. Effect of arbitration  agreement.    A  written  agreement  to
 submit any controversy thereafter arising or any existing controversy to
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD09152-01-7

 A. 6983                             2
 
 arbitration  is  enforceable without regard to the justiciable character
 of the controversy and confers jurisdiction on the courts of  the  state
 to enforce it and to enter judgment on an award; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
 ANY  PORTION  OF  AN  AGREEMENT  OR  CONTRACT  REQUIRING THE CONTROVERSY
 CONCERNING EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVIDING OF CONSUMER GOODS BE SUBMITTED TO
 AN ARBITRATOR OR ARBITRATION ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT  A  NEUTRAL  THIRD
 PARTY  ARBITRATOR,  SHALL  BE  DEEMED  VOID.    THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE
 CONTROVERSY BE HEARD BY A NEUTRAL THIRD  PARTY  ARBITRATOR  MAY  NOT  BE
 WAIVED  BY  A  PARTY  PRIOR TO THE SERVICE ON SUCH PARTY OF A DEMAND FOR
 ARBITRATION. UPON DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO  SECTION  SEVENTY-FIVE  HUNDRED
 FIVE-A  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  A  PARTY  SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED ANY
 OBJECTION TO THE ARBITRATOR OR COMPOSITION OF ANY ARBITRATION PANEL,  BY
 FAILING TO RAISE SAME PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ARBITRATION HEAR-
 ING.  In  determining  any  matter arising under this article, the court
 shall not consider whether the claim with respect to  which  arbitration
 is sought is tenable, or otherwise pass upon the merits of the dispute.
   ARBITRATION  OF  ANY EMPLOYMENT OR CONSUMER DISPUTE SHALL BE CONDUCTED
 BY A NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY ARBITRATOR.    APPOINTMENT  OF  ANY  ARBITRATOR
 SHALL  REASONABLY  ENSURE THE PERSONAL OBJECTIVITY OF THE ARBITRATOR AND
 THE RIGHT OF EACH PARTY TO PRESENT ITS CASE, TO BE IN ATTENDANCE  DURING
 ANY  PRESENTATION  MADE  BY  THE OTHER PARTY AND TO REBUT OR REFUTE SUCH
 PRESENTATION.
   § 3. The civil practice law and rules  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
 section 7505-a to read as follows:
   §  7505-A. DISCLOSURE BY ARBITRATOR. (A) BEFORE ACCEPTING APPOINTMENT,
 AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS REQUESTED TO SERVE AS AN ARBITRATOR, AFTER MAKING A
 REASONABLE INQUIRY, SHALL DISCLOSE TO ALL PARTIES TO  THE  AGREEMENT  TO
 ARBITRATE  AND  THE ARBITRATION PROCEEDING, AND TO ANY OTHER ARBITRATORS
 ANY KNOWN FACTS THAT A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD CONSIDER LIKELY TO AFFECT
 THE IMPARTIALITY  OF  THE  ARBITRATOR  IN  THE  ARBITRATION  PROCEEDING,
 INCLUDING:
   (1) A FINANCIAL OR PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE OUTCOME OF THE ARBITRATION
 PROCEEDING; AND
   (2)  AN  EXISTING  OR PAST RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY OF THE PARTIES TO THE
 AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE OR THE ARBITRATION PROCEEDING, THEIR  COUNSEL  OR
 REPRESENTATIVES, A WITNESS, OR ANOTHER ARBITRATOR.
   (B)  AN  ARBITRATOR  HAS  A  CONTINUING  OBLIGATION TO DISCLOSE TO ALL
 PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE AND  THE  ARBITRATION  PROCEEDING,
 AND  TO ANY OTHER ARBITRATORS ANY FACTS THAT THE ARBITRATOR LEARNS AFTER
 ACCEPTING APPOINTMENT WHICH A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD CONSIDER LIKELY TO
 AFFECT THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE ARBITRATOR.
   (C) IF AN ARBITRATOR DISCLOSES A FACT REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION  (A)  OR
 (B)  OF  THIS  SECTION  AND A PARTY TIMELY OBJECTS TO THE APPOINTMENT OR
 CONTINUED SERVICE OF THE ARBITRATOR BASED UPON THE FACT  DISCLOSED,  THE
 OBJECTION MAY BE A GROUND FOR VACATING AN AWARD MADE BY THE ARBITRATOR.
   (D)  IF THE ARBITRATOR DID NOT DISCLOSE A FACT AS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVI-
 SION (A) OR (B) OF THIS SECTION, UPON TIMELY OBJECTION BY A  PARTY,  THE
 COURT MAY VACATE AN AWARD BASED ON SUCH NON-DISCLOSURE.
   (E)  AN  ARBITRATOR  APPOINTED  AS  A  NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR WHO DOES NOT
 DISCLOSE A KNOWN, DIRECT AND MATERIAL INTEREST IN  THE  OUTCOME  OF  THE
 ARBITRATION PROCEEDING OR A KNOWN, EXISTING AND SUBSTANTIAL RELATIONSHIP
 WITH  A PARTY IS PRESUMED TO ACT WITH EVIDENT PARTIALITY IN RENDERING AN
 AWARD.
   § 4. Section 7506 of the civil practice law and rules  is  amended  to
 read as follows:

 A. 6983                             3
 
   § 7506. Hearing. (a) Oath of arbitrator. Before hearing any testimony,
 an  arbitrator  shall be sworn to hear and decide the controversy faith-
 fully and fairly by an officer authorized to administer an oath.
   (b)  Time and place. The arbitrator shall appoint a time and place for
 the hearing and notify the parties in writing personally  or  by  regis-
 tered or certified mail not less than eight days before the hearing. The
 arbitrator may adjourn or postpone the hearing. The court, upon applica-
 tion  of  any  party, may direct the arbitrator to proceed promptly with
 the hearing and determination of the controversy.
   (c) Evidence. The  parties  are  entitled  to  be  heard,  to  present
 evidence and to cross-examine witnesses.
   (D) POSTPONEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENTS.  THE ARBITRATOR MAY FOR GOOD CAUSE
 POSTPONE  OR  ADJOURN  THE  HEARING  UPON REQUEST OF A PARTY OR UPON THE
 ARBITRATOR'S OWN INITIATIVE. Notwithstanding the failure of a party duly
 notified to appear, the arbitrator may hear and determine the controver-
 sy upon the evidence produced.  IF A PARTY TO AN ARBITRATION INTENDS  TO
 PRESENT  TESTIMONY  FROM  A  WITNESS  AT  THE HEARING, ABSENT GOOD CAUSE
 SHOWN, THE IDENTITY OF THE WITNESS MUST BE GIVEN TO ALL PARTIES AT LEAST
 SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING.
   [(d)] (E) Representation by attorney. A party  has  the  right  to  be
 represented  by  an  attorney and may claim such right at any time as to
 any part of the arbitration or hearings which have not taken place. This
 right may not be waived. If a  party  is  represented  by  an  attorney,
 papers  to be served on the party shall be served upon his OR HER attor-
 ney.   IT SHALL BE DISCRETIONARY  WITH  THE  ARBITRATOR  TO  PERMIT  THE
 ATTENDANCE OF ANY OTHER PERSONS.
   [(e)] (F) Determination by majority. The hearing shall be conducted by
 all  the  arbitrators,  but  a  majority  may determine any question and
 render an award.
   [(f)] (G) Waiver.  Except  as  provided  in  subdivision  [(d)](E),  a
 requirement  of  this  section  may  be waived by written consent of the
 parties and it is waived if the parties continue  with  the  arbitration
 without objection.
   §  5.  Section 7507 of the civil practice law and rules, as amended by
 chapter 952 of the laws of 1981, is amended to read as follows:
   § 7507. Award; form; time;  delivery.    (A)  Except  as  provided  in
 section  7508, the award shall be in writing, signed and affirmed by the
 arbitrator making it within the time fixed by the agreement, or, if  the
 time is not fixed, within such time as the court orders.
   (B)  IN  A  MATTER  INVOLVING A CONSUMER ARBITRATION OR AN ARBITRATION
 BETWEEN AN EMPLOYER AND AN EMPLOYEE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION THREE OF  THE
 FAIR  LABOR  STANDARDS  ACT OF 1938 (29 U.S.C. § 203), WHERE ARBITRATION
 WAS HELD PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT, THE AWARD SHALL  STATE  THE  ISSUES  IN
 DISPUTE  AND SHALL CONTAIN THE ARBITRATOR'S FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLU-
 SIONS OF LAW. THE AWARD SHALL CONTAIN A DECISION ON ALL ISSUES SUBMITTED
 TO THE ARBITRATOR.
   (C) The parties may in writing extend the time either before or  after
 its  expiration. A party waives the objection that an award was not made
 within the time required unless he OR SHE  notifies  the  arbitrator  in
 writing  of  his  OR HER objection prior to the delivery of the award to
 him OR HER.
   (D) The arbitrator shall deliver a copy of the award to each party  in
 the  manner  provided  in the agreement, or, if no provision is so made,
 personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.

 A. 6983                             4
 
   § 6. Subparagraph (iv) of paragraph 1 of subdivision  (b)  of  section
 7511  of  the civil practice law and rules is amended and a new subpara-
 graph (v) is added to read as follows:
   (iv) failure to follow the procedure of this article, unless the party
 applying  to vacate the award continued with the arbitration with notice
 of the defect and without objection[.]; OR
   (V) THE ARBITRATOR EVIDENCED  A  MANIFEST  DISREGARD  OF  THE  LAW  IN
 RENDERING THE AWARD.
   §  7.  The  civil  practice law and rules is amended by adding two new
 sections 7515 and 7516 to read as follows:
   § 7515. PROHIBITED  PREDISPUTE  ARBITRATION  AGREEMENTS.    (A)  DEFI-
 NITIONS.  (I)  THE  TERM  "CONSUMER  DISPUTE" MEANS A DISPUTE BETWEEN AN
 INDIVIDUAL WHO SEEKS OR ACQUIRES REAL  OR  PERSONAL  PROPERTY,  SERVICES
 (INCLUDING  SERVICES  RELATING  TO  SECURITIES  AND  OTHER INVESTMENTS),
 MONEY, OR CREDIT FOR PERSONAL, FAMILY  OR  HOUSEHOLD  PURPOSES  AND  THE
 SELLER OR PROVIDER OF SUCH PROPERTY, SERVICES, MONEY OR CREDIT.
   (II) THE TERM "EMPLOYMENT DISPUTE" MEANS A DISPUTE BETWEEN AN EMPLOYER
 AND EMPLOYEE ARISING OUT OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AS
 DEFINED  IN  SECTION  THREE  OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OF 1938 (29
 U.S.C. § 203).
   (III) THE TERM "PREDISPUTE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT" MEANS ANY  AGREEMENT
 TO ARBITRATE A DISPUTE THAT HAD NOT YET ARISEN AT THE TIME OF THE MAKING
 OF THE AGREEMENT.
   (B) PROHIBITION.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE,
 NO  PREDISPUTE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT SHALL BE VALID OR ENFORCEABLE IF IT
 REQUIRES ARBITRATION OF AN EMPLOYMENT DISPUTE OR CONSUMER DISPUTE.
   § 7516. PROHIBITED PROVISIONS.  (A) PROHIBITION OF EFFECT  OF  CERTAIN
 ARBITRATION  CLAUSES  OR  AGREEMENTS.   MANDATORY ARBITRATION CLAUSES OR
 AGREEMENTS COVERING CONSUMERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE CONTRARY TO  THE  ESTAB-
 LISHED  PUBLIC POLICY OF THIS STATE. BECAUSE EMPLOYEES AND CONSUMERS ARE
 FORCED TO ASSENT TO THESE AGREEMENTS AS A CONDITION OF BEING AN EMPLOYEE
 OR CONSUMER BEFORE ANY DISPUTE HAS ARISEN WITH THE EMPLOYER OR MERCHANT,
 THESE AGREEMENTS DO NOT  OFFER  EMPLOYEES  AND  CONSUMERS  A  MEANINGFUL
 CHOICE  ABOUT  HOW  TO  RESOLVE  THEIR  DISPUTES  WITH  THE  EMPLOYER OR
 MERCHANT. IN ADDITION, MANDATORY ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS PREVENT  EMPLOY-
 EES  AND CONSUMERS FROM EFFECTIVELY VINDICATING THEIR RIGHTS UNDER STATE
 LAW. FOR THESE REASONS, EXCEPT WHEN INCONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL  LAW,  THE
 STATE  PROHIBITS  THE FORMATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF MANDATORY ARBITRATION
 AGREEMENTS IN EMPLOYMENT AND CONSUMER CONTRACTS.
   (B) PROHIBITION OF ARBITRATION CLAUSES  IN  EMPLOYMENT  CONTRACTS  FOR
 WORKERS  EXEMPTED  FROM  THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT.  A MANDATORY ARBI-
 TRATION AGREEMENT WITHIN OR PART OF ANY WRITTEN CONTRACT  OF  EMPLOYMENT
 OF  SEAMEN,  RAILROAD EMPLOYEES OR ANY OTHER CLASS OF WORKERS ENGAGED IN
 FOREIGN OR INTERSTATE COMMERCE IS UNENFORCEABLE AND VOID. ANY SUCH ARBI-
 TRATION  AGREEMENT  SHALL  BE  CONSIDERED  SEVERABLE,  AND   ALL   OTHER
 PROVISIONS  OF  THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT AND GIVEN
 FULL FORCE.
   (C) PROHIBITION OF ARBITRATION CLAUSES THAT ARE NOT GOVERNED BY FEDER-
 AL LAW.  ANY MANDATORY ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, OR PORTION THEREOF, IN  AN
 EMPLOYMENT OR CONSUMER CONTRACT IS INVALID, UNENFORCEABLE AND VOID, WHEN
 THE  ENFORCEABILITY  OF  SUCH  ARBITRATION  AGREEMENT, OR THE PORTION AT
 ISSUE, IS GOVERNED BY STATE LAW. ANY SUCH ARBITRATION AGREEMENT SHALL BE
 CONSIDERED  SEVERABLE,  AND  ALL  OTHER  PROVISIONS  OF  THE  EMPLOYMENT
 CONTRACT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT AND GIVEN FULL FORCE.

 A. 6983                             5
 
   (D)  EXCLUSION.  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO
 AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED WITH ANY LABOR UNION THROUGH  COLLECTIVE  BARGAIN-
 ING.
   §  8.  Enforcement.   Any private person and any enforcement agency or
 official responsible for enforcing the provisions of this act may  bring
 suit  for  injunctive  relief  against  an  entity  that  violates  such
 provisions, and may recover reasonable attorney fees and other costs  if
 an  injunction  or equivalent relief is awarded. Injunctive relief shall
 be the only relief available in a suit arising from  failure  to  comply
 with this act.
   §  9.  Severability.   If any provision of this act or the application
 thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid,  such  invalidity
 shall  not  affect other provisions or applications of this act that can
 be given effect without the invalid provision  or  application,  and  to
 that end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.
   § 10. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.