Call to Action

Re: AB.5851

Racial Equity Bill

Call Your Assembly Member Today!

Disproportionate negative outcomes for people of color are represented throughout every system, including the legislative arena. While the general intent of legislation is to ameliorate social issues, it does not always consider embedded racial inequities and as such, can ultimately serve to exacerbate problems. Part of the solution is to employ a “Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA); a systematic examination of how different racial and ethnic groups will likely be affected by a proposed action or decision. REIAs are used to minimize unanticipated adverse consequences in a variety of contexts, including the analysis of proposed policies, institutional practices, programs, plans and budgetary decisions. The REIA can be a vital tool for preventing institutional racism and for identifying new options to remedy long-standing inequities. (1)

Given the current structure of the Legislature, and its various Committees, the NASW-NYS and the NASW-NYC Chapters have worked in conjunction to introduce a bill AB.5851, which proposes the addition of a REIA Committee. Germane to legislative committees is the notion and use of Economic and Environmental Impact Statements, Health and Human Services Impact Statements and Public Protection Impact Statements, but currently there is no mechanism to examine racial equity assessments to evaluate potential harm and ensure fiscal and environmental protections in the face of limited resources.

Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda has introduced the bill and now it’s our job to rally support and help populate the bill with co-sponsors. This is where YOU come in. Please call your Assembly Member and request they co-sponsor this vital piece of legislation.

What Action Is Needed:

Call your Assembly Member to support establishing Legislative Committee on Racial Equity in the New York State Assembly. The Racial Equity Bill (AB.5851) will introduce a vital new tool for mitigating institutional racism and correcting long-standing inequities.