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Bill

S 4985

Requires certain companies and corporations to report certain data regarding the gender, race and ethnicity of their employees

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie

New York S 4985 requires certain companies to report employees' gender, race, and ethnicity data to boost workforce transparency and inform policy.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · S 4985

Summary of S 4985 (2025)

Overview

S 4985 is a New York Senate bill introduced on February 14, 2025. The core objective stated in the title is to require certain companies and corporations to report data regarding the gender, race, and ethnicity of their employees. The bill is currently referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill appears aimed at increasing transparency around workforce demographics by mandating reporting of employee gender, race, and ethnicity.
  • Specific goals (such as assessing diversity, informing policy or enforcement, or guiding procurement decisions) would be clarified in the full text of the measure and any accompanying fiscal notes or committee memos.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the summary)

  • Application to “certain companies and corporations.” The exact scope, including thresholds (e.g., size, revenue, industry) and any exemptions, would be defined in the bill's text.
  • A requirement to report data on the gender, race, and ethnicity of employees. The precise data fields, categories, collection methods (self-identification vs. administrative data), reporting frequency, and format would be specified in the statute or implementing regulations.
  • The bill’s enforcement, penalties, and remedies (if any) are not specified in the available summary and would require review of the full text.

Scope and Affected Entities

  • Primary: Certain companies and corporations meeting the bill’s definitional criteria.
  • The identity of qualifying entities (by size, sector, or other criteria) and any exemptions are to be determined by the bill’s definitions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: February 14, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.
  • Noted duplicate committee referrals in the legislative actions record; typically indicates initial referral and a clerical or procedural follow-up.

Sponsorship

  • Primary sponsor: Leroy Comrie.

Related Bills and Context

  • Related Senate bills from prior sessions: S 8435, S 8496, S 636.
  • Companion Assembly bills: A 1975 (listed as companion to this type of measure in prior sessions).
  • These related measures suggest a broader legislative pattern focusing on demographic reporting and workforce diversity.

Potential Impacts

  • Transparency and data availability: Could provide standardized demographic data on employment to inform policy discussions and enforcement efforts.
  • Compliance considerations: Businesses subject to the bill would incur data collection and reporting obligations, with potential administrative costs and necessary data-management controls.
  • Policy implications: Data could influence state oversight, diversity initiatives, and procurement or contracting policies, depending on how the data is used and whether it is publicly accessible or kept confidential.

Next Steps for Readers

  • Review the full text of S 4985 for precise definitions, reporting specifications, deadlines, exemptions, and enforcement provisions.
  • Monitor subsequent committee actions and any amendments that define the scope and mechanics of the reporting requirement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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