Requires any entity doing business in this state and engaged in the business of mass-transportation of the general public on an airplane, railroad train, bus or cruise ship to update its reservation, ticketing and check-in website applications to include an additional gender marker option to allow travelers to select their gender based on self-attestation, regardless of the sex assigned at birth; provides exceptions.
Impact
The implementation of S07466 is expected to have significant implications for state laws regarding gender identity and inclusion. It represents an advancement in the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals within the public transportation sector, promoting a more inclusive environment for all travelers. The law would require compliance from mass transportation companies statewide, thereby influencing their operational systems and customer service protocols to accommodate the new gender options effectively.
Summary
Bill S07466, introduced by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, mandates that entities engaged in mass transportation, including airlines, trains, buses, and cruise ships, must update their reservation and ticketing systems to include an additional gender marker option. This bill aims to enhance inclusivity for travelers who identify as transgender, gender non-binary, or gender non-conforming by allowing them to select their gender based on self-attestation, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. This new gender marker could be 'Unspecified', 'Undisclosed', or 'X', among other variations.
Contention
Notably, the bill does have exceptions. It will not apply to governmental entities, providers of private transportation services, or mass-transport services that do not require reservations or ticket purchases. This aspect has been a point of discussion, as it may raise questions about fairness and accessibility among different transportation systems. The exclusions may lead to some mass transit entities not being required to comply, which could undermine the bill's intent of universal inclusivity in transportation.
Requires that certain contracts let by the office of general services be reserved for small businesses, including minority-owned business enterprises and women-owned business enterprises.
Establishes a publicly available database of business entities in the state that enter into procurement contracts with procuring entities in the state; requires such database to include, among other things, the name of the business entity, the current business street address and county associated with each business street address, and the full name of each beneficial owner.
Requires contractors receiving public funds to pay amounts owed to small businesses and minority-owned business enterprises within 10 days of receipt of an undisputed invoice generated by a small business, minority-owned business enterprise or vendor management service and managed service provider on behalf of the small business or minority-owned business enterprise.
Requires contractors receiving public funds to pay amounts owed to small businesses and minority-owned business enterprises within 10 days of receipt of an undisputed invoice generated by a small business, minority-owned business enterprise or vendor management service and managed service provider on behalf of the small business or minority-owned business enterprise.
Requires the division for small-business to publish a small business compliance guide and post such guide to the division for small-business's website.
Authorizes the empire state development corporation to develop a public awareness campaign promoting businesses located in New York state with an emphasis on small businesses and the need to shop in downtown local areas; requires the creation of the Buy New York Online Networking Directory to connect purchasers with businesses located in New York.