Employers screening job applicants in New York City cannot assume that a generic fairness dashboard satisfies Local Law 144. The city defines the regulated AEDT, the required audit and the information owed to candidates.
The law is older than the AI boom
NYC’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection began enforcement of Local Law 144 and related rules on July 5, 2023. It covers certain automated employment decision tools used for hiring and promotion; not every spreadsheet or ordinary interview question is an AEDT.
Who should investigate coverage
Start with the actual tool function, statistical method and extent to which it substantially assists hiring or promotion. Identify the employer or employment agency using it, the workers or candidates affected and where notices must be provided.
Bias audit is not a safety certificate
The city requires a bias audit within a year before use and public availability of defined audit information. An audit is a bounded measurement, not proof that discriminatory decisions are impossible. Ask for the date, assessor, methodology, population and published summary.
Candidate notices and accommodation
Covered parties must provide specified notices and information about the tool, including a route for requesting a reasonable accommodation. Some public-facing information concerns data sources and retention policies. Check the actual city rule for timing and required wording.
Supplier and employer responsibilities
Do not rely only on a supplier’s marketing “compliant” badge. Map who commissions the audit, publishes the results, controls the applicant interface and maintains data-retention notices. Test the real hiring workflow, including alternate application paths.
Decision point
If your screening system is borderline, document why it does or does not meet the legal definition and have qualified counsel check it. Independently test job relevance, disability accessibility, candidate redress and changes after a model update.
Sources & Further Reading
- New York City automated employment decision tools — NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework — National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Jurisdiction/scope: New York City, United States. This is educational information and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. No hands-on product test is claimed.