Bill > A00675

This bill enacts the Empire State Licensing Act, which aims to provide all New Yorkers with access to professional, occupational, commercial, or business licenses, permits, certificates, and registrations, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. The legislation makes several key changes across multiple areas of New York state law: it prohibits licensing entities from inquiring about or requiring proof of citizenship or immigration status, removes citizenship requirements from various professional licensing statutes, and ensures that applicants can be evaluated based on their qualifications and experience rather than their immigration background. The bill also includes provisions to protect applicants' personal information, such as requiring licensing entities to create confidentiality processes and limiting the retention and disclosure of documents that might reveal an applicant's place of birth. Additionally, the bill mandates that licensing entities develop policies for evaluating experience equivalency and, where appropriate, make application processes accessible in an applicant's primary language. The legislation applies to a wide range of professions and industries, including healthcare, legal, business, and trade licensing, and is designed to create a more inclusive and equitable licensing system in New York State. The bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A675