Establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement grant program under which eligible employers may request a grant for reimbursement of expenses made for reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with a disability; establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement fund for payment of such grants; makes an appropriation of $5,000,000 for such program.
Impact
The bill amends current labor laws and establishes a dedicated fund for reimbursement, thereby creating a new financial resource for employers to facilitate accommodations. Employers who qualify must have fewer than 500 employees and an annual revenue of $5 million or less, targeting small businesses that may struggle with the costs of complying with federal and state disability accommodation requirements. This funding aims to ease the burden on smaller employers while promoting the hiring of individuals with disabilities, thus potentially increasing workforce diversity.
Summary
Bill A09151 proposes the establishment of a reasonable accommodation reimbursement grant program aimed at supporting employers in New York State. The program will allow eligible employers to apply for reimbursements for costs associated with making reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with disabilities. An appropriation of $5,000,000 is set aside for this initiative, demonstrating legislative intent to promote inclusivity in the workplace.
Contention
Notable points of contention could arise surrounding the eligibility criteria and the allocation of funds. While proponents of the bill argue it provides necessary support for small businesses, critics may express concerns about the effectiveness of the reimbursement limit, which caps at $30,000 per employer annually. Additionally, there could be debate on the potential bureaucratic challenges associated with fund applications and the administration of the program, particularly regarding the transparency of the review process and the reporting requirements imposed on employers.
Same As
Establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement grant program under which eligible employers may request a grant for reimbursement of expenses made for reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with a disability; establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement fund for payment of such grants; makes an appropriation of $5,000,000 for such program.
Establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement grant program under which eligible employers may request a grant for reimbursement of expenses made for reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with a disability; establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement fund for payment of such grants; makes an appropriation of $5,000,000 for such program.
Requires employment entities to engage in cooperative dialogue with persons requesting reasonable accommodations, or who such employment entities reasonably should have known may require such reasonable accommodations, due to disability, religion, or status as a victim of domestic violence.
A bill for an act requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees based on pregnancy or childbirth and making penalties applicable.