NY A06907

Requires all employment and consumer dispute arbitrations to be conducted by neutral third-party arbitrators who have no undisclosed financial, personal, or relationship interests with any party, witness, counsel, or other arbitrator

Prohibits predispute arbitration agreements that require arbitration of employment or consumer disputes before a dispute has arisen, declaring such mandatory arbitration clauses contrary to New York public policy

Mandates arbitrators disclose before appointment and on a continuing basis any facts that could affect impartiality, including financial interests and relationships with parties; failure to disclose creates a presumption of evident partiality

Requires arbitration awards in consumer and employment matters to include written findings of fact and conclusions of law, and allows courts to vacate awards where arbitrators showed "manifest disregard of the law"

Exempts collective bargaining agreements negotiated with labor unions from the prohibition on mandatory arbitration clauses