Bill Text: NY A09742 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Relates to employment agencies, including application for license; procedures; granting of licenses and enforcement of provisions relating thereto.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-06-19 - REFERRED TO RULES [A09742 Detail]
Download: New_York-2013-A09742-Introduced.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 9742 I N A S S E M B L Y May 20, 2014 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. MOYA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to employment agencies THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Section 171 of the general business law is amended by 2 adding a new subdivision 12 to read as follows: 3 12. "BONA FIDE ORDER" MEANS A WRITTEN ORDER FROM AN EMPLOYER DIRECTED 4 TO AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY STATING THAT THE EMPLOYER REQUESTS THAT THE 5 EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REFER ONE OR MORE JOB APPLICANTS FOR A SPECIFIC POSI- 6 TION OR POSITIONS WITHIN A SPECIFIED AND LIMITED APPLICATION PERIOD. AN 7 EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MUST RENEW A BONA FIDE ORDER AFTER FORTY-FIVE DAYS IF 8 IT INTENDS TO REFER AN APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION DESCRIBED IN SUCH BONA 9 FIDE ORDER, AND THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MUST SPECIFY ON THE BONA FIDE 10 ORDER THE NAME OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER WHO 11 AUTHORIZED THE RENEWAL AND THE DATE ON WHICH THE RENEWAL WAS AUTHORIZED. 12 THE BONA FIDE ORDER SHALL ALSO INCLUDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT SETTING FORTH 13 THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THE POSITION DESCRIBED IN THE 14 ORDER; SUCH WRITTEN STATEMENT SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING 15 INFORMATION: 16 A. THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYER, ANY "DOING BUSINESS AS" NAMES USED BY THE 17 EMPLOYER, THE PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF THE EMPLOYER'S MAIN OFFICE OR PRINCI- 18 PAL PLACE OF BUSINESS, AND A MAILING ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT, THE TELEPHONE 19 NUMBER OF THE EMPLOYER, PLUS SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE COMMISSIONER 20 DEEMS MATERIAL AND NECESSARY; 21 B. THE PLACE OR PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT; 22 C. THE HOURS OF WORK PER DAY AND NUMBER OF DAYS PER WEEK TO BE WORKED; 23 D. THE RATE OR RATES OF PAY AND BASIS THEREOF, WHETHER PAID BY THE 24 HOUR, SHIFT, DAY, WEEK, SALARY, PIECE, COMMISSION, OR OTHER, ALLOWANCES, 25 IF ANY, CLAIMED AS PART OF THE MINIMUM WAGE, INCLUDING TIP, MEAL, OR 26 LODGING ALLOWANCES; EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD13485-05-4 A. 9742 2 1 E. THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE EMPLOYEE WILL BE PAID A PREMIUM 2 FOR WORKING IN EXCESS OF AN ESTABLISHED NUMBER OF HOURS PER DAY, WEEK, 3 OR MONTH, OR FOR WORKING ON DESIGNATED NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, OR HOLIDAYS; 4 F. THE ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT; 5 G. ANY PROVISION TO THE EMPLOYEE, AND HOW LONG THE PROVISION WILL BE 6 PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER, AND ANY COSTS TO THE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATED WITH 7 THE PROVISION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM 8 WORK, HOUSING, HEALTH INSURANCE OR HEALTH CARE, PAID SICK OR ANNUAL 9 LEAVE AND HOLIDAY OR HOLIDAYS, PENSION OR RETIREMENT BENEFITS, PERSONAL 10 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR WORK, WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND INFOR- 11 MATION ABOUT THE INSURANCE POLICY AND RULES REGARDING REPORTING OF ACCI- 12 DENTS OR INJURIES, AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION; AND 13 H. THE NATURE OF THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE. 14 S 2. Paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 173 of the general busi- 15 ness law, as added by chapter 632 of the laws of 1975, is amended to 16 read as follows: 17 b. The application for a license shall be accompanied by samples or 18 accurate facsimiles of each and every form [which the applicant for a 19 license will require applicants for employment to execute], CONTRACT, 20 STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND RECEIPT, AS REQUIRED UNDER 21 SECTION ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE OF THIS ARTICLE, and such forms, 22 CONTRACTS, STATEMENTS OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND RECEIPTS must be 23 approved by the commissioner before a license may be issued. The commis- 24 sioner shall approve any such forms which fairly and clearly represent 25 contractual terms and conditions between the proposed employment agency 26 and applicants for employment, such as are permitted by this article. 27 S 3. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 174 of the general business law, 28 subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 164 of the laws of 2003, subdivision 29 2 as amended by chapter 632 of the laws of 1975, are amended to read as 30 follows: 31 1. Upon the receipt of an application for a license, the commissioner 32 shall cause the name and address of the applicant, the name under which 33 the employment agency is to be conducted, and the street and number of 34 the place where the agency is to be conducted, to be posted ON THE 35 COMMISSIONER'S WEBSITE, AS WELL AS in a conspicuous place in his public 36 office. Such agency shall be used exclusively as an employment agency 37 and for no other purpose, except as hereinafter provided. The commis- 38 sioner shall investigate or cause to be investigated the character and 39 responsibility of the applicant and agency manager and shall examine or 40 cause to be examined the premises designated in such application as the 41 place in which it is proposed to conduct such agency. 42 The commissioner shall require all applicants for licenses and agency 43 managers to be fingerprinted. Such fingerprints shall be submitted to 44 the division of criminal justice services for a state criminal history 45 record check, as defined in subdivision one of section three thousand 46 thirty-five of the education law, and may be submitted to the federal 47 bureau of investigation for a national criminal history record check. 48 THE CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION, IF ANY, RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 49 LABOR SHALL BE CONSIDERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 50 TWENTY-THREE-A OF THE CORRECTION LAW AND SUBDIVISIONS FIFTEEN AND 51 SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SIX OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW. A 52 REASONABLE TIME BEFORE MAKING A DETERMINATION ON THE APPLICATION PURSU- 53 ANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE THE APPLICANT 54 CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION, IF ANY. WHERE SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFOR- 55 MATION IS PROVIDED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ALSO PROVIDE A COPY OF ARTICLE 56 TWENTY-THREE-A OF THE CORRECTION LAW, AND INFORM SUCH APPLICANT OF HIS A. 9742 3 1 OR HER RIGHT TO SEEK CORRECTION OF ANY INCORRECT INFORMATION CONTAINED 2 IN SUCH CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS AND 3 PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES. 4 2. Any person may file, within one week after such application is so 5 posted [in the said office], a written protest against the issuance of 6 such license. Such protest shall be in writing and signed by the person 7 filing the same or his authorized agent or attorney, and shall state 8 reasons why the said license should not be granted. Upon the filing of 9 such protest the commissioner shall appoint a time and place for the 10 hearing of such application, and shall give at least five days' notice 11 of such time and place to the applicant and the person filing such 12 protest. The commissioner may administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and 13 take testimony in respect to the matters contained in such application 14 and protests or complaints of any character for violation of this arti- 15 cle, and may receive evidence in the form of affidavits pertaining to 16 such matters. If it shall appear upon such hearing or from the 17 inspection, examination or investigation made by the commissioner that 18 the applicant or agency manager is not a person of good character or 19 responsibility; or that he or the agency manager has not had at least 20 two years experience as a placement employee, vocational counsellor or 21 in related activities, or other satisfactory business experience which 22 similarly tend to establish the competence of such individual to direct 23 and operate the placement activities of the agency; or that the place 24 where such agency is to be conducted is not a suitable place therefor; 25 or that the applicant has not complied with the provisions of this arti- 26 cle; the said application shall be denied and a license shall not be 27 granted. Each application should be granted or refused within thirty 28 days from the date of its filing. 29 S 4. Section 179 of the general business law, as amended by chapter 30 632 of the laws of 1975, is amended to read as follows: 31 S 179. Registers and other records to be kept. It shall be the duty of 32 every licensed person to keep a register, approved by the commissioner, 33 in which shall be entered, in the English language, the date of the 34 application for employment, the date the applicant started work and the 35 name and address of every applicant from whom a fee or deposit is 36 charged, the amount of the fee or deposit and the service for which it 37 is received or charged. Such licensed person shall also enter in the 38 same or in a separate register, approved by the commissioner, in the 39 English language, the name and address of every employer from whom a fee 40 is received or charged or to whom the licensed person refers an appli- 41 cant who has paid or is charged a fee, the date of such employer's 42 request or assent that applicants be furnished, the kind of position for 43 which applicants are requested, the names of the applicants sent from 44 whom a fee or deposit is received or charged with the designation of the 45 one employed, the amount of the fee or deposit charged, and the rate of 46 salary or wages agreed upon. It shall also be the duty of every licensed 47 person to keep complete and accurate written records in the English 48 language of all receipts and income received or derived directly from 49 the operation of his employment agency, and to keep records concerning 50 [job] BONA FIDE orders. No such licensed person, his agent or employees, 51 shall make any false entry in such records. It shall be the duty of 52 every licensed person to communicate orally or in writing with at least 53 one of the persons mentioned as references for every applicant for work 54 in private families, or employed in a fiduciary capacity, and the result 55 of such investigation shall be kept on file in such agency for a period 56 of at least three years. Every register and all records, INCLUDING BONA A. 9742 4 1 FIDE ORDERS, kept pursuant to the requirements of this article shall be 2 retained on the premises of the agency concerned for three years follow- 3 ing the date on which the last entry thereon was made [except a job 4 order which shall be retained for one year following the date on which 5 it was received]. 6 S 5. Section 181 of the general business law, as added by chapter 893 7 of the laws of 1958, subdivision 1 as added and subdivision 2 as amended 8 by chapter 632 of the laws of 1975, subdivision 3 as separately amended 9 by chapters 1010 and 1083 of the laws of 1960, and subdivision 4 as 10 amended by chapter 479 of the laws of 1963, is amended to read as 11 follows: 12 S 181. Contracts, STATEMENTS OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND receipts. It 13 shall be the duty of every employment agency to give to each applicant 14 for employment: 15 1. A true copy of every contract executed between such agency and such 16 applicant, which shall have printed on it or attached to it a statement 17 setting forth in a clear and concise manner the provisions of sections 18 one hundred eighty-five, and one hundred eighty-six of this article. 19 2. [Information as to the name and address of the person to whom the 20 applicant is to apply for such employment, the kind of service to be 21 performed, the anticipated rate of wages or compensation, the agency's 22 fee for the applicant based on such anticipated wages or compensation, 23 whether such employment is permanent or temporary, the name and address 24 of the person authorizing the hiring of such applicant, and the cost of 25 transportation if the services are required outside of the city, town or 26 village where such agency is located. If the job is a conditionally 27 fee-paid job, the conditions under which the applicant will be required 28 to pay a fee shall be clearly set forth in a separate agreement in ten- 29 point type signed by the job applicant.] (A) AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SHALL 30 ISSUE A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO EACH JOB APPLICANT 31 ON EACH OCCASION THAT THE AGENCY REFERS THE APPLICANT TO A POTENTIAL 32 EMPLOYER. THE WRITTEN STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS SHALL BE IN 33 ENGLISH AND IN THE LANGUAGE IDENTIFIED BY THE APPLICANT AS THE PRIMARY 34 LANGUAGE OF SUCH APPLICANT. EVERY EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SHALL KEEP ON FILE 35 IN ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS A COPY OF 36 EACH WRITTEN STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS ISSUED TO EACH APPLICANT 37 THAT IS SIGNED AND DATED BY THE APPLICANT. THE STATEMENT OF TERMS AND 38 CONDITIONS SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: (I) 39 THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYER, ANY "DOING BUSINESS AS" NAMES USED BY THE 40 EMPLOYER, THE PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF THE EMPLOYER'S MAIN OFFICE OR PRINCI- 41 PAL PLACE OF BUSINESS, AND A MAILING ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT, THE TELEPHONE 42 NUMBER OF THE EMPLOYER, PLUS SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE COMMISSIONER 43 DEEMS MATERIAL AND NECESSARY; (II) THE PLACE OR PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT; 44 (III) THE HOURS OF WORK PER DAY AND NUMBER OF DAYS PER WEEK TO BE 45 WORKED; (IV) THE RATE OR RATES OF PAY AND BASIS THEREOF, WHETHER PAID BY 46 THE HOUR, SHIFT, DAY, WEEK, SALARY, PIECE, COMMISSION, OR OTHER, ALLOW- 47 ANCES, IF ANY, CLAIMED AS PART OF THE MINIMUM WAGE, INCLUDING TIP, MEAL, 48 OR LODGING ALLOWANCES; (V) THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE EMPLOYEE 49 WILL BE PAID A PREMIUM FOR WORKING IN EXCESS OF AN ESTABLISHED NUMBER OF 50 HOURS PER DAY, WEEK, OR MONTH, OR FOR WORKING ON DESIGNATED NIGHTS, 51 WEEKENDS, OR HOLIDAYS; (VI) THE ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT; (VII) 52 ANY PROVISION TO THE EMPLOYEE, AND HOW LONG THE PROVISION WILL BE 53 PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER, AND ANY COSTS TO THE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATED WITH 54 THE PROVISION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM 55 WORK, HOUSING, HEALTH INSURANCE OR HEALTH CARE, PAID SICK OR ANNUAL 56 LEAVE AND HOLIDAY OR HOLIDAYS, PENSION OR RETIREMENT BENEFITS, PERSONAL A. 9742 5 1 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR WORK, WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND INFOR- 2 MATION ABOUT THE INSURANCE POLICY AND RULES REGARDING REPORTING OF ACCI- 3 DENTS OR INJURIES, AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION; AND (VIII) THE NATURE 4 OF THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE. 5 (B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PREPARE TEMPLATES THAT COMPLY WITH THE 6 REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION. EACH SUCH TEMPLATE 7 SHALL BE DUAL-LANGUAGE, INCLUDING ENGLISH AND ONE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE. 8 THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DETERMINE, IN HIS OR HER DISCRETION, WHICH 9 LANGUAGES TO PROVIDE IN ADDITION TO ENGLISH, BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE 10 NEW YORK STATE POPULATION THAT SPEAKS EACH LANGUAGE AND ANY OTHER FACTOR 11 THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DEEM RELEVANT. ALL SUCH TEMPLATES SHALL BE 12 MADE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES IN SUCH MANNER AS DETERMINED BY 13 THE COMMISSIONER. 14 (C) WHEN A JOB APPLICANT IDENTIFIES AS HIS OR HER PRIMARY LANGUAGE A 15 LANGUAGE FOR WHICH A TEMPLATE IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE COMMISSIONER, 16 THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SHALL COMPLY WITH THIS SUBDIVISION BY PROVIDING 17 THAT EMPLOYEE AN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE STATEMENT. 18 (D) AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SHALL NOT BE PENALIZED FOR ERRORS OR OMIS- 19 SIONS IN THE NON-ENGLISH PORTIONS OF ANY NOTICE PROVIDED BY THE COMMIS- 20 SIONER. 21 3. [A receipt for any fee, deposit, consideration, or payment which 22 such agency receives from such applicant, which shall have printed or 23 written on it the name of the applicant, the name and address of the 24 employment agency, the date and amount of such fee, deposit, consider- 25 ation or payment or portion thereof for which the receipt is given, the 26 purpose for which it was paid, and the signature of the person receiving 27 such payment. If the applicant for employment has been recruited from 28 outside the state for domestic or household employment the receipt shall 29 have printed on it, or attached to it, a copy of section one hundred 30 eighty-four of this article.] EVERY EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SHALL KEEP ON FILE 31 IN ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS A STATE- 32 MENT, SIGNED BY THE EMPLOYER OF EVERY APPLICANT WHOM THE EMPLOYMENT 33 AGENCY HAS PLACED, INDICATING THAT THE EMPLOYER HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD 34 THE STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION TWO OF 35 THIS SECTION AND THAT THE EMPLOYER HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THAT STATE- 36 MENT. 37 4. [The original or duplicate-original copy of each such contract and 38 receipt shall be retained by every employment agency for three years 39 following the date on which the contract is executed or the payment is 40 made, and shall be made available for inspection by the commissioner or 41 his duly authorized agent or inspector, upon his request. Notwithstand- 42 ing the other provisions of such contracts, the monetary consideration 43 to be paid by the applicant shall not exceed the fee ceiling provided in 44 subdivision eight of section one hundred eighty-five.] A RECEIPT FOR ANY 45 FEE, CONSIDERATION, OR PAYMENT WHICH AN AGENCY RECEIVES FROM AN APPLI- 46 CANT. THE RECEIPT SHALL HAVE PRINTED OR WRITTEN ON IT THE NAME OF THE 47 APPLICANT, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, THE DATE AND 48 AMOUNT OF SUCH FEE, CONSIDERATION OR PAYMENT OR PORTION THEREOF FOR 49 WHICH THE RECEIPT IS GIVEN, THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS PAID, AND THE 50 SIGNATURE OF THE PERSON RECEIVING SUCH PAYMENT. THE RECEIPT SHALL ALSO 51 INCLUDE IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE PLACE FOR SIGNATURE OF THE PERSON RECEIV- 52 ING PAYMENT, SET OFF IN A BOX AND PRINTED IN BOLD AND IN CAPS, THE 53 FOLLOWING STATEMENT: "AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MAY NOT CHARGE YOU, THE JOB 54 APPLICANT, A FEE BEFORE REFERRING YOU TO A JOB THAT YOU ACCEPT. IF YOU 55 PAY A FEE BEFORE ACCEPTING A JOB OR PAY A FEE THAT OTHERWISE VIOLATES 56 THE LAW, YOU MAY DEMAND A REFUND, WHICH SHALL BE REPAID WITHIN SEVEN (7) A. 9742 6 1 DAYS." THE TEXT CONTAINED IN THIS BOX SHALL ALSO BE IN ENGLISH AND IN 2 THE LANGUAGE IDENTIFIED BY EACH APPLICANT AS THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE OF 3 SUCH APPLICANT. 4 5. THE ORIGINAL OR DUPLICATE-ORIGINAL COPY OF EACH WRITTEN CONTRACT, 5 EACH STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION TWO OF 6 THIS SECTION, AND EACH RECEIPT REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS 7 SECTION SHALL BE RETAINED BY EVERY EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FOR THREE YEARS 8 FOLLOWING THE DATE ON WHICH THE CONTRACT IS EXECUTED. THE RECORDS 9 REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION 10 BY THE COMMISSIONER OR HIS OR HER DULY AUTHORIZED AGENT OR INSPECTOR, 11 UPON SUCH REQUEST. 12 S 6. Subdivisions 1 and 3 of section 185 of the general business law, 13 subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 460 of the laws of 2012 and subdivi- 14 sion 3 as amended by chapter 1010 of the laws of 1960, are amended and a 15 new subdivision 1-a is added to read as follows: 16 1. Circumstances permitting fee. An employment agency shall not charge 17 or accept a fee or other consideration unless in accordance with the 18 terms of a written contract with a job applicant[, except: 19 (a) for class "A" and "A-1" employment, and except] AND after such 20 agency has been responsible for referring such job applicant to an 21 employer or such employer to a job applicant and where as a result ther- 22 eof such job applicant has been employed by such employer[; and 23 (b)], EXCEPT for class "C" employment: [(i)] (A) after an agency has 24 been responsible for referring an artist to an employer or such employer 25 to an artist and where as a result thereof such artist has been employed 26 by such employer; or [(ii)] (B) after an agency represents an artist in 27 the negotiation or renegotiation of an original or pre-existing employ- 28 ment contract and where as a result thereof the artist enters into a 29 negotiated or renegotiated employment contract. For class "C" employment 30 pursuant to this paragraph, an employment agency shall provide an artist 31 with a statement setting forth in a clear and concise manner the 32 provisions of this section and section one hundred eighty-six of this 33 article. 34 The maximum fees provided for herein for all types of placements or 35 employment may be charged to the job applicant and a similar fee may be 36 charged to the employer provided, however, that with regard to place- 37 ments in class "B" employment, a fee of up to one and one-half times the 38 fee charged to the job applicant may be charged to the employer. By 39 agreement with an employment agency, the employer may voluntarily assume 40 payment of the job applicant's fee. The fees charged to employers by any 41 licensed person conducting an employment agency for rendering services 42 in connection with, or for providing employment in classes "A", "A-1" 43 and "B", as hereinafter defined in subdivision four of this section 44 where the applicant is not charged a fee shall be determined by agree- 45 ment between the employer and the employment agency. No fee shall be 46 charged or accepted for the registration of applicants for employees or 47 employment. 48 1-A. FEE REFUND. AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WHO HAS CHARGED OR ACCEPTED A 49 FEE OR OTHER CONSIDERATION FOR CLASSES "A" AND "A-1" EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT 50 A CONTRACT PRIOR TO OCTOBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, SHALL REFUND 51 THE FULL AMOUNT TO THE JOB APPLICANT BY NOVEMBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND 52 FIFTEEN, IF: (A) SUCH FEE OR CONSIDERATION DID NOT LEAD TO THE JOB 53 APPLICANT OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY; OR (B) THE 54 FEE OR CONSIDERATION WAS NOT APPLIED TO THE JOB APPLICANT'S ACCOUNT FOR 55 SERVICES RENDERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY. A. 9742 7 1 3. Deposits, advance fees. Notwithstanding any other provisions of 2 this section, an employment agency [may] SHALL not require OR ACCEPT a 3 deposit or advance fee from any applicant [except an applicant for class 4 "A" or class "A1" employment, and only to the extent of the maximum fees 5 hereinafter provided. Such deposit or advance fee shall be offset 6 against any fee charged or accepted when such employment is obtained. 7 Any excess above the lawful fee shall be returned without demand there- 8 for, immediately after the employment agency has been notified that such 9 employment has been obtained; and all of such deposit or advance fee 10 shall be returned immediately upon demand therefor, if at the time of 11 the demand such employment has not been obtained]. ANY DEPOSIT OR 12 ADVANCE FEE COLLECTED BY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY PRIOR TO OCTOBER FIRST, 13 TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, MUST BE REFUNDED TO THE APPLICANT BY NOVEMBER 14 FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, IF: (A) SUCH DEPOSIT OR ADVANCE FEE DID NOT 15 LEAD TO THE JOB APPLICANT OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT 16 AGENCY OR (B) THE DEPOSIT OR ADVANCE FEE WAS NOT APPLIED TO THE JOB 17 APPLICANT'S ACCOUNT FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY. 18 S 7. Subdivision 2 of section 186 of the general business law, as 19 amended by chapter 1010 of the laws of 1960, is amended to read as 20 follows: 21 2. Failure to report: If a job applicant accepts employment and there- 22 after fails to report for work, the gross fee charged to such applicant 23 shall not exceed twenty-five per cent of the maximum fee allowed by 24 section one hundred eighty-five of this article[, provided however, if 25 the applicant remains with his same employer, the fee shall not exceed 26 fifty per cent]. If a job applicant accepts employment and fails to 27 report for work, no fee shall be charged to the employer. 28 S 8. Subdivision 3 of section 187 of the general business law, as 29 added by chapter 893 of the laws of 1958, is amended to read as follows: 30 (3) Advertise in newspapers or otherwise, or use letterheads or 31 receipts or other written or printed matter, unless such advertising or 32 other matter contains the name and address of the employment agency 33 [and] the word "agency", AND THE AGENCY'S LICENSE NUMBER. 34 S 9. Section 189 of the general business law, as amended by chapter 35 479 of the laws of 1963, subdivisions 1 and 2 as amended by chapter 721 36 of the laws of 2004, subdivisions 4 and 5 as amended by chapter 632 of 37 the laws of 1975, is amended to read as follows: 38 S 189. Enforcement of provisions of this article. 1. This article, 39 article nineteen-B of the labor law and sections 37.01, 37.03 and 37.05 40 of the arts and cultural affairs law shall be enforced by the commis- 41 sioner of labor, except that in the city of New York this article and 42 such sections shall be enforced by the commissioner of consumer affairs 43 of such city. IN ADDITION TO THE POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER, THE ATTOR- 44 NEY GENERAL SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ENFORCE THIS ARTICLE; SUCH POWERS 45 INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, ACTIONS TO RESTRAIN OR ENJOIN SUCH 46 VIOLATION. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL IN ANY WAY LIMIT THE RIGHTS OR 47 REMEDIES WHICH ARE OTHERWISE AVAILABLE TO A PERSON UNDER ANY OTHER LAW. 48 2. To effectuate the purposes of this article, article nineteen-B of 49 the labor law and sections 37.01, 37.03 and 37.05 of the arts and 50 cultural affairs law, the commissioner or any duly authorized agent or 51 inspector designated by such commissioner, shall have authority to 52 inspect [the premises, registers, contract forms, receipt books, appli- 53 cation forms, referral forms, reference forms, reference reports and 54 financial records of fees charged and refunds made of each employment 55 agency, which are essential to the operation of such agency, and of each 56 applicant for an employment agency license, as frequently as necessary A. 9742 8 1 to ensure compliance with this article and such sections; but in] 2 EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES AND APPLICANTS FOR AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY LICENSE AS 3 FREQUENTLY AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE. THE 4 FOLLOWING SHALL BE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION: THE PREMISES; REGISTERS; 5 CONTRACTS SIGNED BY JOB APPLICANTS; STATEMENTS OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS; 6 RECEIPTS; APPLICATION FORMS; REFERRAL FORMS; BONA FIDE ORDERS FROM 7 PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS; WRITTEN NOTIFICATIONS FROM EMPLOYERS REQUIRED BY 8 SECTION ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE; REFERENCE FORMS; 9 REFERENCE REPORTS; RECORDS OF FEES CHARGED; RECORDS OF REFUNDS MADE; AND 10 ANY OTHER RECORD THAT AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MUST MAINTAIN PURSUANT TO 11 THIS ARTICLE. IN no event shall any employment agency be inspected less 12 frequently than once every eighteen months. INSPECTIONS MAY CONSIST OF 13 IN-PERSON VISITS TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES. The commissioner shall also 14 have authority to subpoena records and witnesses or otherwise to conduct 15 investigations of any employer or other person where he or she has 16 reasonable grounds for believing that such employer or person is violat- 17 ing or has conspired or is conspiring with an employment agency to 18 violate this article or such sections. 19 3. To effectuate the purposes of this article, the commissioner may 20 make reasonable administrative rules within the standards set in this 21 article. Before such rules shall be issued, the commissioner shall 22 conduct a public hearing, giving due notice thereof to all interested 23 parties. No rule shall become effective until fifteen days after it has 24 been filed in the office of the department of state, if it is a rule of 25 the industrial commissioner, or in the office of the clerk of the city 26 of New York, if it is a rule of the commissioner of licenses of such 27 city, and copies thereof shall be furnished to all employment agencies 28 affected at least fifteen days prior to the effective date of such rule. 29 4. Complaints against any such licensed OR UNLICENSED person [shall] 30 MAY be made orally or in writing to the commissioner, or be sent in an 31 affidavit form without appearing in person, and may be made by recog- 32 nized employment agencies, trade associations, or others. The commis- 33 sioner may hold a hearing on a complaint with the powers provided by 34 section one hundred seventy-four of this article. If a hearing is held, 35 reasonable notice thereof, not less than five days, shall be given in 36 writing to said [licensed] person by serving upon the [licensed] person 37 either personally, by mail, or by leaving the same with the person in 38 charge of his office, a concise statement of the facts constituting the 39 complaint, and the hearing shall commence before the commissioner with 40 reasonable speed but in no event later than two weeks from the date of 41 the filing of the complaint. The commissioner when investigating any 42 matters pertaining to the granting, issuing, transferring, renewing, 43 revoking, suspending or cancelling of any license is authorized in his 44 discretion to take such testimony as may be necessary on which to base 45 official action. When taking such testimony he may subpoena witnesses 46 and also direct the production before him of necessary and material 47 books and papers. A daily calendar of all hearings shall be kept by the 48 commissioner and shall be posted in a conspicuous place in his public 49 office for at least one day before the date of such hearings. The 50 commissioner shall render his decision within thirty days from the time 51 the matter is finally submitted to him. The commissioner shall keep a 52 record of all such complaints and hearings. IN ADDITION TO THE POWERS 53 OF THE COMMISSIONER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY BRING AN ACTION AGAINST 54 ANYONE WHO IS ALLEGED TO HAVE VIOLATED THIS ARTICLE. 55 5. [Following such hearing if it has been shown] UPON A FINDING that 56 the licensed person or his agent, employee or anyone acting on his A. 9742 9 1 behalf is guilty of violating any provision of this article or is not a 2 person of good character and responsibility, the commissioner may 3 suspend or revoke the license of such licensed person [and/or levy a 4 fine against such licensed person for each violation not to exceed five 5 hundred dollars]. ANY EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED ANY 6 PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE SUBJECT, FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE, TO A 7 CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER VIOLATION, AND, FOR 8 EACH SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE WITHIN SIX YEARS OF SUCH PREVIOUS OFFENSE, TO A 9 CIVIL PENALTY, NOT TO EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER VIOLATION. IF THE 10 PERSON SUBJECT TO THIS ARTICLE FAILS TO PAY THE DAMAGES, FINES, ATTOR- 11 NEY'S FEES, COSTS, OR PENALTIES AWARDED, THE AMOUNT AWARDED MAY BE 12 SATISFIED OUT OF THE BOND AMOUNT REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE. Whenever such 13 commissioner shall suspend or revoke the license of any employment agen- 14 cy, or shall levy a fine against [such] ANY agency, said determination 15 shall be subject to judicial review in proceedings brought pursuant to 16 article seventy-eight of the civil practice law and rules. Whenever 17 [such] AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY'S license is revoked, another license or 18 agency manager permit shall not be issued within three years from the 19 date of such revocation to said licensed person or his agency manager or 20 to any person with whom the licensee has been associated in the business 21 of furnishing employment or engagements. Deputy commissioners, or other 22 officials designated to act on behalf of the commissioner, may conduct 23 hearings and act upon applications for licenses, and revoke or suspend 24 such licenses, or levy fines AGAINST AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY. 25 6. IF ANY PERSON USES ANY UNTRUE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT, INFORMATION, 26 OR ADVERTISEMENT TO SELL ITS EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SERVICES OR FAILS TO 27 COMPLY WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, OR THE CONTRACT 28 DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, THEN THE 29 CONTRACT SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AS CONTRARY TO PUBLIC POLICY. 30 7. ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE MAY BRING A 31 CIVIL ACTION IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AGAINST ANY EMPLOYMENT 32 AGENCY OR PERSONS ALLEGED TO HAVE VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTI- 33 CLE. THE COURT SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION TO RESTRAIN VIOLATIONS OF THIS 34 SECTION AND TO ORDER ALL APPROPRIATE RELIEF, INCLUDING ENJOINING THE 35 CONDUCT OF ANY PERSON OR EMPLOYMENT AGENCY; ORDERING PAYMENT OF DAMAGES, 36 COSTS AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES TO THE AGGRIEVED INDIVIDUAL BY THE 37 PERSON OR ENTITY FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE. 38 8. THE REMEDIES PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE AND SHALL 39 BE IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER REMEDIES OR PROCEDURES PROVIDED IN ANY OTHER 40 LAW. 41 9. IF ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO ANY 42 PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCES IS HELD UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THE REMAINDER OF THE 43 ARTICLE AND THE APPLICATION OF THAT PROVISION TO OTHER PERSONS AND 44 CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED THEREBY. 45 10. IF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FAILS TO MAINTAIN RECORDS AS REQUIRED 46 UNDER THIS ARTICLE, THE CREDIBLE TESTIMONY OF AN APPLICANT SHALL FORM 47 THE PROPER BASIS FOR THE CALCULATION OF UNPAID WAGES AND/OR UNLAWFUL 48 FEES. 49 S 10. Section 190 of the general business law, as amended by chapter 50 632 of the laws of 1975, is amended to read as follows: 51 S 190. Penalties for violations. Any person who violates and the offi- 52 cers of a corporation and stockholders holding ten percent or more of 53 the stock of a corporation which is not publicly traded, who knowingly 54 permit the corporation to violate sections one hundred seventy-two, one 55 hundred seventy-three, one hundred seventy-six, one hundred eighty-four, 56 one hundred eighty-four-a, one hundred eighty-five, one hundred eighty- A. 9742 10 1 five-a, one hundred eighty-six, or one hundred eighty-seven of this 2 article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be 3 subject to a fine not to exceed [one thousand] TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED 4 dollars PER VIOLATION, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or 5 both, by any court of competent jurisdiction. The violation of any other 6 provision of this article shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed 7 [one] FIVE hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty 8 days. Criminal proceedings based upon violations of these sections shall 9 be instituted by the commissioner, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR A DISTRICT 10 ATTORNEY and may be instituted by any persons aggrieved by such 11 violations. 12 S 11. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 195 13 to read as follows: 14 S 195. PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY 15 EMPLOYMENT AGENCY TO RETALIATE OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY PERSON 16 BECAUSE HE OR SHE HAS OPPOSED ANY PRACTICE OR PRACTICES FORBIDDEN UNDER 17 THIS ARTICLE OR BECAUSE THAT PERSON HAS FILED A COMPLAINT, TESTIFIED OR 18 ASSISTED IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THIS ARTICLE. 19 S 12. This act shall take effect immediately.