Testimony Regarding Tackling Bias in Automated Employment Decision Tools

The New York City Council enacted Local Law 144 of 2021 (“LL 144”), which attempts to tackle bias in automated employment decision tools (“AEDT”). AEDT all too often replicates and amplifies bias, discrimination, and harm towards populations who have been and continue to be disproportionately impacted by bias and discrimination.

LL 144 falls far short of providing comprehensive protections for candidates and workers. Candidates and workers should not need to worry about being screened by a discriminatory algorithm. We strongly urge the Department to amend and strengthen the proposed rules to deliver on the law’s promise to mitigate bias and provide people with the information they need.