S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  9131--A
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 8, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. BURDICK -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee 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;
   (v) supply chain neurodiversity to the extent practicable;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD14460-02-4
 A. 9131--A                          2
 
   (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.