Committee hears short-form disclosure bill for automated decision systems used on state employees

A presenter, called to the table as 'Vivek,' introduced a short-form bill to require disclosure when automated decision systems are used in personnel or other state-employee decisions. The sponsor said the measure is primarily a transparency and disclosure requirement rather than a ban on automated systems.

The presenter tied the draft to New York’s Senate Bill 822 and said labor organizations including the AFL-CIO pushed that work. They described the bill as ‘‘preventative’’—designed to ensure that employees and unions can obtain the information needed to challenge or appeal personnel actions that may have been influenced by automated systems.

Examples cited in discussion included algorithmic filters used in hiring and vendor features that track typing, eye movement or other productivity metrics; the presenter raised concerns about vendor systems that can be turned on remotely and about public lawsuits alleging bias in algorithmic decision-making. The sponsor said the bill would require disclosure that such systems are in use and include a study on whether protections should extend to municipal employees, teachers and public-higher-education staff.

Committee members asked whether the bill applies only to state employees; the sponsor confirmed it currently targets state employment but noted the bill includes a study provision to explore broader applicability. No vote was taken; members thanked the presenter and asked staff to provide additional briefing materials and the referenced New York memo.