NYC Local Law 144 (automated employment decision tools): requirements, deadlines and compliance actions
New York City Local Law 144 of 2021 on Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT) and DCWP implementing rules
What is NYC Local Law 144 (automated employment decision tools)?
Employers and employment agencies may not use an automated employment decision tool to screen candidates or employees for hiring or promotion in New York City unless the tool has had an independent bias audit within the past year, a summary of the audit results is published, and candidates receive at least ten business days' notice of the tool's use, the job qualifications assessed, and how to request an alternative process or accommodation. The bias audit calculates selection and scoring impact ratios by sex, race/ethnicity and intersectional categories. Enforcement began 5 July 2023.
Who does it apply to?
Employers and employment agencies using AEDTs for candidates or employees residing in New York City.
- Sectors
- Employment and HR
- AI use cases
- AI in hiring and employment
- Risk categories
- High-risk
- AI system types
- Automated decision-making systemPredictive or scoring system
When do the requirements apply?
2021-12-11: enacted; 2023-01-01: effective; 2023-07-05: enforcement began under final DCWP rules.
Dates are taken from the linked official source; a reviewer should confirm in-force and application dates before relying on them.
What must organisations do?
Commission an annual independent bias audit, publish the summary and distribution date on the careers site, give ten business days' notice to candidates, and keep audit and notice records.
Penalties
Civil penalties of USD 500 for a first violation and 500–1,500 for each subsequent violation; each day of use and each missing notice is a separate violation.
Official sources
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Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT)
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection · 5 Jul 2023 · Tier 1 source
Change history
Record version 1: Added in the September 2026 global coverage expansion from the official source listed; reviewer to confirm dates, status and scope against the source text.. Full edit history is in the GitHub repository.
Informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult qualified counsel before acting.