Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3953: Relates to the convening of a human services employee wage board

Relates to the convening of a human services employee wage board; requires the commissioner of labor to convene a human services employee wage board comprised of twelve members; requires the wage board to hold hearings and report and make recommendations to the governor and legislature no later than December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates wage board to review human services employee pay, directly advancing compensation standards for workers in this sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1952: Requires employers and employment agencies to notify candidates for employment if machine learning technology is used to make hiring decisions

Requires employers and employment agencies to notify candidates for employment if machine learning technology is used to make hiring decisions prior to the use of such technology.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates transparency in AI hiring, protecting workers' rights from opaque algorithms in employment decisions92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires disclosure of ML hiring use → enhances transparency for job seekers → protects data privacy under tech policy indicators95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6041: Relates to permitting persons who have filed for asylum to work in New York state

S 6041 would permit individuals in New York who have filed for asylum under federal immigration law to work in the state. The bill directs the New York State labor commissioner to create rules making asylum seekers eligible for employment, bypassing potential delays in federal work authorization. This applies directly to people who have submitted asylum applications and are living in New York. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill permits asylum seekers to work in NY, directly advancing their economic integration and providing a service to immigrants.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables asylum seekers to work immediately, expanding employment access and workforce participation without federal delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Refugees & Asylum Work Authorization

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 846: Relates to providing more predictable and stable schedules for employees in low-wage occupations

Relates to providing more predictable and stable schedules for employees in low-wage occupations; provides that an employer shall pay an employee for at least 4 hours at the basic minimum hourly wage for each day an employee reports for work as instructed but is given less than four hours of work.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGuarantees minimum wage pay for reported hours, protecting low-wage workers from lost earnings due to unstable schedules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1734: Relates to benefits and supplemental wages

Prohibits agreements to pay or provide benefits or wage supplements from including a provision specifying that an employee with accrued, unused vacation pay will not be compensated for such vacation pay upon termination; provides for a minimum of two weeks of wages upon termination to employees who receive granted time.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits denial of accrued vacation pay upon termination and mandates minimum two weeks' wages, directly protecting workers' rights and enhancing compensation benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6895: Extends unfair labor practice protection to state grant recipients

Extends application of the NYS labor relations act and unfair labor practice protections to state grant recipients who act in the capacity of employers; permits a contracting state agency to cancel payments to a grant recipient upon a second or subsequent labor violation; defines "state grant recipient".

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends unfair labor practice protections to state grant recipients acting as employers, strengthening worker protections under NYS labor relations act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8512: Secures collective bargaining agreement validity during a change in operator or ownership

Secures the continued validity of collective bargaining agreements during and after a change in operator or ownership of a property, facility, or company.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSecures collective bargaining agreement validity during ownership changes, protecting workers' negotiated terms and strengthening labor rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2455: Establishes the New York state worker protection and labor enforcement fund

S 2455 establishes the New York State Worker Protection and Labor Enforcement Fund, which will use money paid by employers who violate labor laws (such as wage theft or safety rules) to boost the Department of Labor's enforcement efforts. The fund collects penalties and damages from violations of specific labor law sections (including those covering wages, safety, and discrimination) and uses these funds - on top of existing budgets - to hire more enforcement staff and investigate violations. The Department of Labor must report annually on how the fund's money was spent, including the number of cases handled and personnel supported. This bill takes effect April 1, 2026, and directly affects employers who breach labor laws and the Department of Labor's ability to enforce them.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects existing penalties from labor violations to fund labor enforcement, increasing resources for public service without new taxes. Aligns with 'funds essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill uses employer penalty funds to boost labor enforcement, directly strengthening worker protections and addressing violations like wage theft.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 816: Enacts the parental involvement leave act

Enacts the "parental involvement leave act" requiring employers to grant employees up to 24 hours leave during any school year to attend school conferences or classroom activities related to the employee's child if the conference or activity cannot be scheduled during non-work hours; defines "employer" as any person or entity employing any individual in any occupation, industry, trade or business or service including any of the following: a state agency, office or department, a unit of local government, a school district, an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, or a nonprofit organization; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer-provided leave for school activities, expanding worker benefits and protecting time off for family needs under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1289: Prohibits employers from asking job applicants about salary expectations and allowing job applicants to request the included benefits for the position they are applying for

Prohibits employers from asking job applicants about salary expectations; allows job applicants to request the included benefits for the position they are applying for.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits salary history questions to prevent pay discrimination and allows benefits requests, advancing worker rights and equitable hiring practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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