Labor & Employment

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 10643: Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealer

This bill modifies regulations for the cannabis industry in New York to strengthen labor standards and market oversight. It requires new and renewing license applicants to sign labor peace agreements with unions, making the maintenance of these agreements a condition for certification and registration. The legislation also establishes a new Cannabis Industry Wage Board to set fair wages and working conditions, while giving the state board authority to review licenses and modify terms if large market players hinder social equity goals. Additionally, the bill mandates that applicants disclose detailed ownership structures and salary information to promote transparency and accountability within the industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates labor peace agreements and establishes a wage board to strengthen worker rights and fair wages.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9581: Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use

Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use for the previous year; requires the department of labor to file an annual report on the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use in the state; establishes penalties for covered business that fail to submit such reports.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates AI hiring impact reporting to protect workers from potential discrimination and inform future labor protections, aligning with worker rights advancement.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI impact reporting for transparency in hiring/business practices, aligning with regulatory oversight for responsible tech use as per indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 8091: Provides that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who complies with certain standards when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder

Provides that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who fulfills certain values based procurement standards when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder and when the bidder makes publicly available data on where such bidder sources their food items; sets forth the criteria for values based procurement standards to include local economies, environmental resilience, racial equity, valued workforce, valued agricultural sector, animal welfare, and nutrition.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 'valued workforce' as a procurement criterion, advancing labor standards in contract awards85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10510: Prohibits gas and electric corporations from recovering costs related to labor-related legal activity or workers' compensation loss adjustment expenses from ratepayers

Prohibits gas and electric corporations from recovering labor-related legal costs or workers' compensation loss adjustment expenses from ratepayers through rates, charges, surcharges, adjustment mechanisms, riders, or reconciliation mechanisms; defines labor-related legal activity.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects utility consumers by preventing corporations from passing labor-related legal costs to ratepayers, reducing energy costs for consumers.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prevents utility companies from passing labor-related legal costs and workers' compensation expenses to consumers, protecting workers' compensation benefits and reducing financial burden on ratepayers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8877: Relates to certain mandatory disclosures for job advertisements

Requires certain mandatory disclosures for printed or digital job advertisements by an employer or third-party job posting entity; provides for the imposition of a fine of $2,500 for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates transparency in job ads to prevent misleading practices, aiding worker decision-making and protecting rights through disclosure requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 372: Establishes the "no severance ultimatums act"

Establishes the "no severance ultimatums act", which prevents employers from giving coercive ultimatums to employees or former employees relating to severance agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employers from coercing employees into severance agreements, directly protecting workers' rights during job transitions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 7194: Prohibits the use of student loan payment credit history checks in certain cases

This bill prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their student loan payment history or using that information to make hiring decisions. It directly affects job applicants, particularly those with student debt, by preventing employment discrimination based on their loan status. The law includes an exception for employers required by state/federal law or financial regulations to check this information. The bill applies to all employers except those in specific regulated industries like finance. It becomes effective immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employment discrimination based on student debt, protecting workers' rights in hiring decisions95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 3460: Relates to granting employees access to personnel records

Grants employees access to personnel records; requires notice of negative information in such records and an opportunity for a review; permits employee to include certain information in personnel records.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill grants employees access to personnel records, requires notice of negative entries, and allows review/inclusion of information, directly protecting worker rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 7898: Relates to mandatory arbitration clauses in employment contracts

This bill requires employers to provide new employees with clear, plain-language explanations about mandatory arbitration clauses before they sign employment contracts. Employers must explain what an arbitration clause means in simple terms, especially for contracts signed electronically or by mail, and include a link to a plain-language explanation. If a contract contains a prohibited mandatory arbitration clause (as defined by the bill), that specific clause is void, though other contract terms remain enforceable. The law applies to all new employment contracts entered into after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires plain-language explanations for arbitration clauses, voiding prohibited terms to protect workers' rights from opaque contract terms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Assembly Mar 18, 2026

A 4850: Relates to enacting the "New York state teleworking expansion act"

Enacts the "New York state teleworking expansion act"; provides that each state agency shall establish a policy and program to allow employees to perform all or a portion of their duties through teleworking to the maximum extent possible without diminished employee performance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state agencies to establish teleworking policies, expanding worker flexibility and employment standards without diminishing performance, supporting workers' rights and employment conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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