This bill creates a presumption that heart disease causing disability or death for certain public safety workers was incurred during their duties. It applies specifically to correction officers, correction supervisors, deputy sheriffs patrol, and their supervisors in New York State who are covered by the state retirement system. Under the bill, if such workers develop heart disease while employed and passed a pre-hire physical showing no heart issues, the disability is automatically presumed work-related for retirement benefit purposes - shifting the burden to prove otherwise to the employer. The law amends retirement system rules to establish this presumption without requiring additional proof from the worker.
This bill establishes "first responder safety zones" on highways, defining them as areas up to 660 feet around facilities where fire, police, or ambulance vehicles are stationed. Within these clearly marked zones, the maximum speed limit for drivers is set at 15 miles per hour. Drivers are required to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles with active lights during an emergency within or entering these zones, and also to pedestrians crossing the roadway. Violations, such as failing to yield or exceeding the speed limit, carry fines, and a third offense for failing to yield can result in a one-year license suspension.
Relates to the election of retirement benefits for certain members of the New York state and local employees' retirement system who are employed by the office of mental health.
Establishes the payment of certain volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker death benefits shall be within ninety days of the filing of application to receive such death benefit.
S 681 prohibits most private employers from requiring fingerprinting or mandatory iris/retina scans as a condition of hiring or continued employment. It directly affects private-sector workers and employers, with key exceptions for state/municipal employees, public hospitals, medical colleges affiliated with public hospitals, and private hospitals. The bill amends labor law to make this prohibition explicit and takes effect immediately upon enactment. It does not apply to government workers or healthcare facilities receiving public funding.
Clarifies the definition of custom fabrication for the purposes of prevailing wage; requires certain reports for public works contracts including such custom fabrication.
Requires employers to inform their employees that non-disclosure or non-disparagement provisions in their employment contracts do not prohibit them from speaking with law enforcement, the equal employment opportunity commission, the state division of human rights, a local commission on human rights, or an attorney retained by the employee.
Requires employers to inform their employees that non-disclosure or non-disparagement provisions in their employment contracts do not prohibit them from speaking with law enforcement, the equal employment opportunity commission, the state division of human rights, a local commission on human rights, or an attorney retained by the employee.
Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation; clarifies that disability includes disability caused by Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases; requires insurance coverage of long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.
Expands the authority of hearing officers regarding judgments about an employee's inability to perform their duties due to a disability to be provided to the employee and the authorized representative of such employee.
