S2285

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring the Empire State Development Corporation to study the feasibility of establishing minority and women-owned business capacity enterprise mentorship programs statewide. Senate Print 2285, sponsored by Sen. Cleare, passed on a 57-0 roll call vote. The bill directs ESDC to research existing MWBE mentorship programs and their effectiveness, with particular focus on prequalification requirements and contract bidding preparation. The legislation requires two reports: an initial comprehensive report detailing findings and recommended statutory or regulatory changes, and a second report due 24 months after enactment outlining successful implementation actions and long-term stability plans. Cleare argued that mentoring and capacity building are essential to professional progression and that successful mentorship programs already operating within state agencies should be expanded as statewide standards to help ensure MWBE success across New York.