Labor & Employment

died · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8389: Relates to the New York state workforce development board

This bill renames the "New York State Workforce Investment Board" to the "New York State Workforce Development Board" and updates its membership structure. It directly affects the board's composition (adding specific representation for youth, mature workers, and industry sectors) and its administrative duties under state and federal workforce laws. The key mechanism is changing the board's official name and clarifying member appointment requirements, while maintaining its core responsibilities like developing workforce plans and coordinating federal funding. The bill does not alter the board's substantive policy functions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds youth/mature worker representation to workforce board, enhancing worker voice in employment programs without altering core duties.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4832: Requires the workers' compensation board to submit a supplemental report every year

Requires the workers' compensation board to submit a supplemental report every year, including recommendations to modernize such board and certain data regarding claims made and decisions rendered on such claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires annual reports with modernization recommendations for workers' compensation board, aiming to improve claim processing and benefits for injured workers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 7032: Provides qualified homeless individuals non-driver state identification cards

This bill (S 7032) allows homeless individuals in New York to obtain free non-driver state ID cards without fees. To qualify, applicants must provide verified proof of homelessness from an approved service provider (such as a shelter, social worker, or homeless liaison). The bill amends existing law to add homeless individuals as a category eligible for these fee-free IDs, alongside seniors and certain public assistance recipients. It requires applicants to submit documentation from designated providers, defined under federal homeless assistance guidelines, to confirm housing status.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness by removing ID barriers, enabling access to housing services and programs. Directly supports housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides free ID to homeless, removing employment barrier. Supports workers' ability to access labor market.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

died · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3815: Relates to special accidental death benefits paid to a deceased member's children

Bill S 3815 amends New York's accidental death benefit rules for children of public safety employees. It allows children who were under age 25 when their parent (a police officer, firefighter, EMT, correction officer, or similar public safety worker) died accidentally to receive benefits until age 18 or 23 (whichever applies), instead of the previous cutoff of age 23. The key change extends the eligibility window for qualifying children by two years, ensuring those who turned 23 after their parent's death but were under 25 at the time of death can still receive benefits. This applies to children of members of specific public safety systems, including police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services in New York City and surrounding areas.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill extends accidental death benefit eligibility for public safety workers' children, expanding worker benefits. Directly supports family security in employment context.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 4612: Includes coverage of treatment rendered by a massage therapist

Bill S 4612 amends the workers' compensation law to include coverage for treatment provided by licensed massage therapists. It defines "massage therapist" and adds them to the list of authorized healthcare providers within the workers' compensation system. Under this bill, an injured employee can receive massage therapy if prescribed or referred by an authorized physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, or nurse practitioner. Massage therapists rendering such treatment would be required to maintain patient records. However, their reports or opinions would not be considered evidence of the causal link of an injury to a work accident or occupational disease, nor evidence of disability, under this law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' compensation health coverage to include licensed massage therapy services, increasing access to alternative treatments for injured workers under prescribed care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation benefits to include licensed massage therapy for work injuries, strengthening treatment access and recovery support for injured workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 5142: Subtracts from the federal adjusted gross income any income earned by election inspectors, poll clerks, or election coordinators

Subtracts from the federal adjusted gross income any income earned by election inspectors, poll clerks, or election coordinators earned while working in relation to a general, primary, run-off primary, or special election to the extent includable in gross income for federal tax purposes; exempts such income from being included in the calculation of the amount of benefits under public assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts election workers' income from federal tax calculations, providing tax relief for lower-income earners as per tax relief indicator.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts election worker income from federal tax and public assistance calculations, increasing disposable income and benefit access for specific labor roles.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 7007: Relates to requiring mental health first aid training for licensed cosmetologists and barbers

This bill requires licensed cosmetologists and barbers to complete an eight-hour mental health first aid training program. The training teaches participants to recognize symptoms of mental health crises (like anxiety or depression), safely de-escalate situations, and refer clients to appropriate community resources. All current licensees and new applicants must complete this certified training to maintain or obtain their licenses. The law aims to enhance community safety by equipping beauty professionals - who interact closely with the public - with skills to support individuals in mental health distress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health first aid training for cosmetologists/barbers to recognize crises and refer to resources, directly supporting mental health service access and community safety.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates mental health first aid training for cosmetologists/barbers, directly improving workplace safety by teaching crisis recognition and de-escalation skills.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 182: Increases the federal poverty level requirement for recipients where it concerns the one-time disregard of earned income

This bill increases the income threshold for a temporary public assistance benefit. It changes the rule so that individuals who recently started working can disregard all their earned income for up to six months (after job entry) if their total income is under 400% of the federal poverty level - up from the current 200% limit. This directly affects low-income working individuals receiving public assistance who are transitioning from unemployment to employment. The policy change aims to provide a longer financial buffer during early employment while maintaining eligibility for benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands public assistance eligibility by raising income threshold for earned income disregard, providing tax relief to low-income workers transitioning to employment.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases income threshold for public assistance during job transition, preventing benefit loss for low-income workers entering employment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track