Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7394: Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to public works and certain construction projects performed under private contract

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to public works and certain construction projects performed under private contract and paid for with public funds.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wages for public construction projects, protecting workers' pay rights under labor standards95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8999: Relates to wage parity compensation for home care workers

This bill (A 8999) requires home care workers receiving wage parity compensation to be paid directly in cash wages by default, unless they voluntarily and in writing choose to receive part or all as supplemental benefits. It mandates clear, plain-language disclosures to workers about the monetary value, limitations, and their right to opt for cash at any time, prohibiting automatic enrollment in non-cash benefits. Employers cannot deduct wages to fund benefits without explicit, revocable written consent, and unauthorized deductions are deemed unlawful wage violations. The Attorney General and state health/labor departments will enforce these rules, with penalties for noncompliance. The law applies to all home care programs, including the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP).

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates cash payment by default for home care workers' wage parity, prohibits automatic non-cash enrollment, requires clear disclosures, and protects workers' right to choose cash, strengthening wage rights and transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6033: Establishes a tax credit for direct support professionals and direct care workers

Establishes a tax credit for individuals who serve or are employed as a direct support professional, or direct care worker, up to five thousand dollars for taxpayers who make less than fifty thousand dollars and phased out for individuals who make over one hundred thousand dollars.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTax credit for low/middle-income workers reduces their tax burden, aligning with fiscal support indicators for middle/lower income tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit for direct care workers strengthens healthcare workforce stability and access to essential services, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit up to $5k for low-income direct care workers, increasing take-home pay and supporting wage standards for vulnerable workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 191: Removes labor market attachment requirements for certain disability cases

This bill removes a requirement for workers with permanent partial disabilities to prove ongoing "labor market attachment" to receive ongoing compensation benefits. It directly affects injured workers who have been classified as permanently partially disabled due to work-related injuries. The key change eliminates the need for these claimants to demonstrate continued workforce engagement to maintain benefits, while keeping the existing compensation rate (66.67% of lost wages) and maximum benefit duration limits based on the severity of disability. The bill applies to cases with injury dates after the effective date of related 2017 legislation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves requirement for injured workers to prove ongoing workforce engagement to maintain disability benefits, strengthening access to compensation without altering benefit rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 297: Expands a certain tax credit for farmers to include the cost of construction of housing for farm workers

This bill expands an existing tax credit for farmers to cover the cost of constructing housing for farm workers. It specifically allows farmers to claim the credit for standard construction materials and labor used to build residential housing occupied by workers employed in their farming operations. The change modifies the tax law to include housing construction under the "eligible costs" for the credit, which previously applied only to equipment and production-related property. This directly affects farmers who build housing for their agricultural workforce in New York. The policy change is a straightforward expansion of an existing tax incentive, with no new eligibility requirements beyond the current credit framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit for farmers to cover housing construction costs, reducing their tax burden and aligning with tax relief indicators for fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit to fund farm worker housing construction, directly advancing affordable housing for vulnerable workers through tax incentives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tax credit for farm housing construction, directly improving employment conditions and housing standards for agricultural workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 4468: Provides family leave to persons recovering from a pregnancy loss

This bill would expand family leave protections to include employees who are recovering from a stillbirth. It directly affects workers who experience pregnancy loss by adding stillbirth recovery to the list of qualifying reasons for taking unpaid leave under the state's workers' compensation law. The key provision amends existing definitions to allow employees to take leave during the first twelve months after a stillbirth, treating it similarly to leave taken to bond with a newborn child. The bill would take effect 90 days after becoming law if it were to pass both legislative chambers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands family leave benefits to cover stillbirth recovery, directly enhancing worker benefits under Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5000: Clarifies that the statutory damages available for certain wage violations are not punitive in nature and are designed to compensate workers

Clarifies that the statutory damages available for certain wage violations are not punitive in nature and are designed to be liquidated damages rather than penalties or to compensate workers for the employer's failure to prevent wage theft and for the harm to employees that results from such failure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies statutory damages for wage violations are compensatory (not punitive), ensuring workers receive payment for wage theft, directly protecting workers' rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 639: Relates to requiring new employees to be provided certain information relating to student loan repayment information

This bill requires employers in New York to provide new employees with information about student loan repayment options during the hiring process. It directly affects employers hiring for entry-level positions requiring an associate's degree or higher (including post-graduate interns), starting on the bill's effective date. Employers must give newly hired workers written materials covering federal repayment plans, income-based options, consolidation, and public service loan forgiveness programs, plus links to the state's financial services resource center. The materials must be developed by the Labor Commissioner with input from higher education and financial services officials.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to provide student loan repayment information, enhancing worker financial benefits and access to federal programs, aligning with 'protects workers' rights' and 'improves benefits' indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 502: Relates to retaliatory actions by employers against employees for certain disclosures

Prohibits retaliatory actions by employers against employees for disclosure of activity which violates a company internal control implemented to prevent fraud or which the employee believes to be fraudulent; makes amendment to whistleblower statute in 2021 retroactive to 2018.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer retaliation for fraud disclosures, strengthening whistleblower protections under labor rights by preventing punishment for reporting internal control violations.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4309: Authorizes labor unions to work with the city of New York to finance the construction of affordable housing for its members

This bill allows New York City to partner with labor unions representing city employees to finance affordable housing exclusively for those union members. It requires housing units to be occupied by city employees meeting specific criteria: at least one resident must work for the city, live there over half the year, and have combined household income below 125% of the area median income. Leases automatically terminate if residents no longer meet these income or residency requirements. The bill creates a formal mechanism for unions and the city to collaborate on housing projects without conflicting with existing laws. (Summary based on §1154 of the bill text and official abstract.)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes financing for affordable housing exclusively for city employees meeting income/residency criteria, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides affordable housing access exclusively for unionized city employees meeting income/residency criteria, enhancing worker benefits and housing stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Collective Bargaining

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