Establishes voluntary certification and licensing for fashion designers; creates the state board of fashion design; and relates state contracting entities…

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Zellnor Myrie says this is needed

Fashion design is one of the most economically significant yet struc- turally unregulated professions in New York State. Despite New York being the nation's largest fashion employment hub, there are currently no statutory standards governing education, competency, or professional conduct for designers, resulting in widespread workforce instability and consumer risk. Research demonstrates that this regulatory gap produces a significant disconnect between education and industry demands. Approximately 66% of designers report that their academic training failed to prepare them for real-world job requirements, particularly in areas such as product safe- ty, global production coordination, and modern design technologies. As a result, employers are forced to absorb training responsibilities, contributing to inefficiencies and high turnover. At the same time, the workforce remains highly vulnerable. The fashion design field is composed of approximately 85% women, many of whom expe- rience unpaid internships, unpaid overtime, and limited upward mobility. Designers are frequently classified under the federal "creative profes- sional" exemption, which excludes them from overtime protections, rein- forcing a culture of long hours and low compensation. The absence of professional credentialing also creates a public safety concern. Designers are directly responsible for products that impact consumer health, including children's apparel, compression garments, and specialized wear. Yet, unlike comparable professions such as interior design or cosmetology, there is no mechanism to verify technical compe- tency or ensure baseline standards. New York has already begun addressing labor conditions within the fash- ion industry through recent legislation protecting models, demonstrating a clear legislative interest in reforming the sector. However, design- ers, who play a central role in product development and safety, remain unregulated. This bill addresses these gaps by establishing a voluntary tiered certification and licensing framework, modeled on existing professional systems in other creative and technical fields. The proposal does not impose mandatory licensing requirements or restrict entry into the profession. Instead, it provides a structured pathway for professional recognition, continuing education, and accountability. By improving workforce preparedness, reducing exploitation, and promot- ing safer, higher-quality products, this legislation strengthens both the labor market and consumer protections while preserving flexibility within the industry.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.