Labor & Employment

signed · New York · Senate Dec 12, 2025

S 7680: Relates to mandating the development and approval of operational safety plans

Requires the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to develop and approve operational safety plans prior to the deployment of any employee in hazardous conditions; requires the plan to include a comprehensive risk assessment identifying potential hazards associated with the deployment, mitigation measures to address identified risks, detailed information on team composition, identification of an on-site authorized person responsible for overseeing operations, a clear chain of command, emergency contact information for all team members, and evacuation procedures.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safety plans with risk assessments and mitigation for hazardous conditions, directly improving workplace safety standards90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 12, 2025

S 5379: Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to brownfield remediation work performed under private contract

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to brownfield remediation work performed under private contract as it relates to certain remediation activities, for sites that are seeking or have received a determination that the site is eligible for the tangible property credit component of the brownfield redevelopment tax credit, and the work is paid for in whole or in part by public funds.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApplies prevailing wage requirements to brownfield remediation projects funded by public money, ensuring fair compensation for workers on these contracts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

signed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 3398: Relates to enacting the reasonable accommodation anti-retaliation act

This bill, S 3398 (the "reasonable accommodation anti-retaliation act"), prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who request reasonable accommodations under New York's anti-discrimination law. It explicitly adds "requesting a reasonable accommodation" to the list of protected actions in Section 296 of the Executive Law, making it unlawful to punish workers for such requests - like disclosing personnel files in retaliation. The law clarifies that existing anti-discrimination protections already covered this, but the amendment makes the prohibition explicit and enforceable. It applies immediately to all actions occurring after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer retaliation for requesting reasonable accommodations, directly protecting workers' rights under anti-discrimination law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 4926: Relates to contracted network pharmacy use

This bill (S 4926) gives injured workers in New York State the right to choose their own pharmacy for prescribed medications under specific circumstances, directly affecting workers receiving workers' compensation. It allows them to bypass the employer/carrier's contracted pharmacy if payment is denied within 72 hours or if reauthorization fails for reasons like missing medical reports, disputes over treatment guidelines, or case settlement delays. Pharmacies dispensing medication under this provision must follow the state’s pharmacy fee schedule, medical treatment guidelines, and formulary, and assume liability for costs if the medication isn’t later approved. The bill was passed by the state legislature in June 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on December 5, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGives injured workers pharmacy choice when denied, improving access to medications under workers' comp, directly protecting patient rights and access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill grants injured workers right to choose pharmacy when denied by employer, protecting access to medications under workers' comp, advancing employment benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 33: Relates to the promotion of employment of people with disabilities

This bill establishes a 16-member task force within New York's Department of Labor to address unemployment among people with disabilities. The task force, including representatives from state agencies, disability organizations, labor, business, and people with disabilities themselves, will study employment barriers and review successful programs. Its key duties include developing strategies to increase competitive integrated employment (meaningful jobs in regular workplaces), ensuring state agencies model inclusive hiring, and making recommendations within two years. The task force must report annually to the governor and legislature, with findings made publicly available online. This directly affects state agencies, employers, and people with disabilities seeking meaningful work opportunities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates task force to address disability employment barriers and develop strategies for competitive integrated employment, directly advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities within Labor & Employment framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

vetoed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 1724: Relates to employee representation of state employees designated managerial or confidential

Provides notification of employment or promotion of applicable employees to organizations of state employees designated managerial or confidential for purposes of employee representation in determining the terms and conditions of employment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires notification to employee representation organizations about managerial/confidential state employee hires/promotions, enabling union involvement in employment terms, supporting collective bargaining rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

signed · New York · Senate Sep 10, 2025

S 4554: Relates to World Trade Center benefits

This bill (S 4554) modifies New York City's pension rules to streamline benefits for police officers and firefighters who participated in World Trade Center rescue efforts. It creates a presumption that members with qualifying health conditions (like respiratory illnesses linked to WTC exposure) developed their disability during service, provided they filed a timely notice of participation. The presumption means the pension board must reclassify their retirement as "accidental disability" without changing their retirement option, unless the employer proves otherwise. This directly affects NYC police pension fund members who worked at the WTC site and later developed health conditions recognized under the law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStreamlines pension benefits for WTC first responders by presuming service-connected disabilities, advancing worker benefits access without bureaucratic hurdles.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · New York · Assembly Sep 10, 2025

A 8417: Extends the September 11th worker protection task force act

This bill (A 8417) extends the expiration date of the September 11th worker protection task force act from June 10, 2025, to June 10, 2030. It directly affects the existing task force established to address health and safety concerns for workers who responded to the 9/11 attacks. The key provision is a simple amendment to the act's expiration date, prolonging the task force's authority without altering its purpose or duties. This procedural extension ensures the task force can continue its work supporting affected workers through 2030.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends task force addressing 9/11 workers' health/safety concerns, directly protecting affected laborers' ongoing workplace safety needs without altering core mission.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · New York · Senate Sep 5, 2025

S 8034: Relates to disputes between employers and recognized employee organizations

This bill clarifies which employees are covered under New York's labor relations law. It states that the law does not apply to employees covered by federal labor laws (like the National Labor Relations Act), employees where the federal National Labor Relations Board has jurisdiction, or state/local government employees. For all other employees, the state labor board must promptly certify existing union representatives and keep current workplace terms in effect during the certification process. This ensures continuity for unionized workplaces not already governed by federal law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires state labor board to promptly certify existing union reps and maintain current workplace terms during certification, protecting ongoing collective bargaining rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · New York · Assembly Sep 5, 2025

A 2730: Requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to use apprenticeship agreements

Requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to use apprenticeship agreements; requires thermal energy networks to require contractors and subcontractors to use pre-apprenticeship direct entry providers registered with the department of labor.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates apprenticeships for renewable energy construction workforce, advancing clean energy infrastructure development95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates apprenticeship agreements for renewable energy construction, creating structured training pathways and strengthening worker development in employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment