Bill > S07664

This bill requires state agencies in New York to collect more detailed demographic information about Black, African, Caribbean, and Afro-Latino populations, moving beyond the current broad "Black/African American" category. The legislation mandates that agencies use separate collection categories to distinguish between different ethnic groups, including "Descendants of persons enslaved in the United States", "Continental Africans", "Afro-Caribbeans", and "Central and South American Afro-Latinos". Agencies must collect and publicly report this disaggregated data, showing the primary language spoken at home and specific ethnic group or ancestry, beginning in July 2026. The bill is motivated by the recognition that the current single-category approach fails to capture the significant diversity within Black populations, and it follows recent federal changes and precedents set by other states like California. By requiring more nuanced data collection, the legislation aims to help policymakers better understand and address the unique social, educational, health, and economic experiences of different Black ethnic communities in New York. The bill will take effect 120 days after becoming law, with specific implementation timelines for various state agencies.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7664