New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A08856

Introduced
6/9/25  
Refer
6/9/25  

Caption

Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.

Impact

The enactment of A08856 could significantly affect state laws concerning business licensing and arbitration practices. It will prevent businesses from requiring arbitration clauses as a precondition for employment or consumer transactions, thereby making it easier for individuals to take legal action in cases of disputes. This potential shift prioritizes individual rights, possibly encouraging more open litigation in areas traditionally dominated by private arbitration, which has been criticized for often favoring businesses over individuals.

Summary

Bill A08856, known as the 'Mandatory Arbitration & Business Licensing Act' (MABLA), aims to amend New York’s general business law to restrict the ability of businesses to require employees or consumers to enter into mandatory arbitration clauses as a condition for employment or service provision. Specifically, the bill stipulates that no state agency or local government can issue or renew a business license for any entity that does not certify that it will not impose such arbitration requirements. This change is intended to enhance consumer and employee rights by increasing transparency and accessibility to judicial recourse in disputes.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked debate among stakeholders, including businesses, consumer rights advocates, and labor organizations. Proponents argue that scrapping mandatory arbitration enhances justice and equity by restoring the ability of employees and consumers to challenge unfair practices in court. However, opponents, particularly from the business community, express concern that this regulation could lead to increased litigation and operational burdens, possibly deterring new businesses from entering the market due to the heightened legal risk.

Companion Bills

NY S08126

Same As Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.

Previously Filed As

NY S08126

Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.

NY S08723

Enacts the "New York anti-mandate act"; provides that a business entity doing business in the state of New York shall not refuse to provide any service, product, admission to a venue, or transportation to a person because that person has or has not received or used a medical intervention; provides that a ticket issuer shall not penalize, discriminate against, or deny access to an entertainment event to a ticket holder because the ticket holder has or has not received or used a medical intervention; provides a school operating in the state shall not mandate a medical intervention for any person to attend school, enter campus or school buildings, or be employed by the school; provides that unless required by federal law, no state, county, or local government entity or official in New York shall require any person to receive or use a medical intervention; defines terms; makes conforming changes.

NY A08392

Provides that any volunteer agency who is granted state aid by the office of addiction services and supports or pursuant to a contract with a local governmental unit shall receive the full amount of such state aid within sixty days from approval; provides that volunteer agencies shall have two years to spend such aid.

NY S09672

Restricts the disclosure of personal information by businesses; provides that a business that retains a customer's personal information shall make available to the customer free of charge access to, or copies of, all of the customer's personal information retained by the business.

NY A00675

Enacts the empire state licensing act to provide all New Yorkers with access to professional, occupational, commercial, or business licenses, permits, certificates, or related registrations regardless of an applicant's citizenship or immigration status.

NY S2082

Provides State agencies will not enter into contracts with business entities that require persons or public entities to submit disputes to binding arbitration.

NY S08469

Provides that a licensee for an adult-use retail dispensary whose license was approved by the office prior to July twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-five, and whose business location was found to be in compliance with standards used by the office at the time of such approval, regardless of such business location's proximity to a school property line, shall be deemed compliant for purposes of license renewal and continued operation at such location.

NY S01086

Enacts the empire state licensing act to provide all New Yorkers with access to professional, occupational, commercial, or business licenses, permits, certificates, or related registrations regardless of an applicant's citizenship or immigration status, or lack thereof.

NY A05377

Provides that the franchise tax on businesses with a business income base over five million dollars shall be nine percent of such income base.

NY S03943

Provides that the franchise tax on businesses with a business income base over five million dollars shall be nine percent of such income base.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.