Bill > A06958

This bill introduces the "Sweatshop-Free College Apparel Act" which requires all post-secondary educational institutions in New York to establish and implement a sweat-free code of conduct for purchasing and licensing apparel. Specifically, the bill mandates that institutions adopt labor standards that meet or exceed those established by the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC), affiliate with the WRC, and participate in a designated supplier program to enforce these standards. Each institution must submit annual reports to the state department detailing their compliance, including any violations and corrective actions taken, and make these reports publicly available on their websites by August 1st each year. The department is also required to prepare annual reports for the governor and legislature listing institutions' compliance status and non-compliant purchasing agreements. The bill aims to ensure that apparel purchased or licensed by New York educational institutions is produced under ethical labor conditions, with transparency and accountability built into the process. The act takes effect immediately upon passage, requiring institutions to quickly adapt their purchasing policies to align with these new ethical labor standards.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6958