A11033 • 2025

Designates unlawful discriminatory practices relating to persons recovering from substance use disorder

Labor

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: In Assembly Committee
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or oversight bodies for this legislation.

Designates Unlawful Discrimination Against People Recovering from Substance Use Disorder

This bill makes it illegal for government agencies in New York State to discriminate against people who are recovering from substance use disorder when hiring them.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'government agency' and 'substance use disorder'.
Makes it unlawful for a government agency employer to deny employment solely because someone is recovering from substance use disorder.

Who It Names or Affects

Government agencies in New York State.
People who are applying for jobs with government agencies and are recovering from substance use disorder.

Terms To Know

Substance Use Disorder: A condition defined by the Mental Hygiene Law that involves problematic patterns of using substances like drugs or alcohol.
Government Agency: Any department, division, board, bureau, commission, office, agency, correctional facility, authority, public corporation, or educational institution run by a state or local government in New York.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks this law.
It is unclear how the bill will be enforced and who will oversee its implementation.

Bill History

2026-04-23 Assembly
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Official Summary Text

Designates unlawful discriminatory practices relating to persons recovering from substance use disorder
Relates to unlawful discriminatory practices by government agencies relating to persons recovering from substance use disorder.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
        ________________________________________________________________________

                                          11033

                                  I N  A S S E M B L Y

                                     April 23, 2026
                                       ___________

        Introduced  by  M. of A. GONZALEZ-ROJAS -- read once and referred to the
          Committee on Governmental Operations

        AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to unlawful discriminato-
          ry practices by government agencies  relating  to  persons  recovering
          from substance use disorder

          THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
        BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

     1    Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section  296-e
     2  to read as follows:
     3    §  296-E.  UNLAWFUL  DISCRIMINATORY  PRACTICES  BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
     4  RELATING TO PERSONS RECOVERING FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. 1.  FOR  THE
     5  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
     6    (A)  "GOVERNMENT  AGENCY"  SHALL MEAN ANY DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, BOARD,
     7  BUREAU, COMMISSION, OFFICE, AGENCY, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, AUTHORITY  OR
     8  PUBLIC  CORPORATION  OF  THE  STATE  OR  A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE
     9  GOVERNMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENTALITY OF LOCAL  GOVERNMENT  OR  PUBLIC
    10  EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.
    11    (B)  "SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SET FORTH
    12  IN SECTION 1.03 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW.
    13    2. IT SHALL BE AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE  FOR  A  GOVERNMENT
    14  AGENCY  EMPLOYER  TO DENY EMPLOYMENT TO A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE SOLELY ON
    15  THE BASIS THAT SUCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE IS  RECOVERING  FROM  SUBSTANCE
    16  USE DISORDER.
    17    § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.




         EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD00301-01-5