STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
3037--A
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2021
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Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, JACKSON, BICHOTTE HERMELYN -- read
once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations --
recommitted to the Committee on Governmental Operations in accordance
with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended,
ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the state technology law, in relation to requiring state
websites to use gender-neutral terminology
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 101 of the state technology law is amended by
2 adding three new subdivisions 6, 7 and 8 to read as follows:
3 6. "State website" means an Internet website operated by or for a
4 state agency or authority. Such term shall include those websites oper-
5 ated on behalf of state agencies or authorities by other public or
6 private entities, but shall not include any portions of the internet
7 outside the control of the state agency or authority.
8 7. "Gender-neutral terminology" means a word or expression that cannot
9 be taken to refer to one gender only, including but not limited to terms
10 such as flight attendant, firefighter, or police officer.
11 8. "Gender-biased terminology" means a word or expression that cate-
12 gorizes on the basis of gender distinctions that can only be taken to
13 refer to one gender only, including, but not limited to terms such as
14 husband, wife, fireman or policeman.
15 § 2. Section 103 of the state technology law is amended by adding a
16 new subdivision 8-b to read as follows:
17 8-b. (a) To advise and assist state agencies or authorities in the
18 implementation of gender-neutral terminology on state websites.
19 Gender-biased terminology shall be prohibited. To the extent consistent
20 with the meaning of this law, masculine pronouns may be used together
21 with feminine pronouns in reference to elected officials, commissioners
22 and similar persons;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00801-03-2
A. 3037--A 2
1 (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall in no
2 way interfere with the ability of any state agency or authority to
3 collect gender-specific information, to the extent permitted by law, as
4 necessary to carry out their responsibilities;
5 (c) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall not
6 apply to any state website that addresses a gender-specific matter;
7 including, but not limited to, pregnancy or maternal health;
8 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
