Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8393: Relates to disability benefits for pregnancy loss

Bill A 8393 amends the workers' compensation law to explicitly include "pregnancy loss" within the definition of a disability related to pregnancy. This change means that employees experiencing pregnancy loss would be eligible for disability benefits. The bill also establishes a specific calculation for these benefits, setting them at sixty-seven percent of the employee's average weekly wage, capped at sixty-seven percent of the state average weekly wage. This differs from the general benefit calculation for other disabilities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation to include pregnancy loss as a covered disability, providing explicit financial protection during medical leave and strengthening disability benefit access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5454: Establishes the New York smart work week pilot program to promote, incentivize and support the use of a four-day work week by qualifying employers and to study the benefits and impacts of such work arrangements

Establishes the New York smart work week pilot program to promote, incentivize and support the use of a four-day work week by qualifying employers and to study the benefits and impacts of such work arrangements; defines terms; establishes a tax credit for participating qualifying employers and employees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTax credit for employers/employees provides direct fiscal relief, aligning with tax relief indicators in Budget & Taxes policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPromotes four-day work week via tax credits for employers/employees, directly advancing employment standards and worker benefits through pilot program study95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 8, 2026

A 5589: 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, 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates wage board to recommend employee compensation adjustments, directly advancing worker wage protections through mandated recommendations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 8590: Relates to disputes between employers and recognized employee organizations

This bill clarifies when New York's state labor law applies to employer-employee disputes. It specifies that New York's labor relations act does not cover employees already protected under federal laws (like the National Labor Relations Act) or when federal labor boards have jurisdiction. For all other employees, the state labor board must promptly certify existing union representatives as the official bargaining agent and maintain current work terms during the certification process. This ensures continuity for employees and employers not covered by federal labor rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures prompt union certification and maintains current work terms for non-federally-covered employees, strengthening collective bargaining rights under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8931: Requires just cause for employment termination and restricts the use of electronic monitoring for disciplinary purposes

Requires just cause for employment termination and restricts the use of electronic monitoring for disciplinary purposes; requires employers to provide just cause for discharging employees, with exceptions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires just cause for termination and restricts electronic monitoring, directly protecting workers' rights from arbitrary dismissal and workplace surveillance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1267: Establishes an essential workers' bill of rights

Establishes an essential workers' bill of rights; provides that all employers shall provide essential workers with personal protective equipment, inform such workers of exposure to any disease related to a state disaster emergency, and not retaliate for any report of an unsafe work environment; provides certain employers shall make hazard payments and cover the costs of any child care or health care needed by such essential workers for the duration of the state disaster emergency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employers to cover essential workers' health care costs during disaster emergencies, expanding access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates PPE, exposure notification, no retaliation, hazard pay, and covers childcare/health costs - directly protecting essential workers' rights and safety during emergencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3908: Relates to paid leave for menstrual complications and menopause

This New York bill (S 3908) requires employers to provide eligible workers with up to four days of paid leave per year for menstrual complications and menopause symptoms. It defines covered conditions (like fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, hot flashes, and sleep issues) and allows leave for medical appointments related to these health needs. The law amends workers' compensation to include these conditions under "disability" and creates a new section granting the additional paid leave. It directly affects employees in New York covered by workers' compensation law who experience qualifying health issues.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates paid leave for medical appointments related to menstrual/menopause health conditions, improving access to healthcare services for affected workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid leave for menstrual/menopause health needs, expanding worker benefits and protecting rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 4511: Relates to the promotion of employment of people with disabilities

S 4511 establishes a 16-member task force within New York's Department of Labor to study and improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The task force, including representatives from state agencies, disability organizations, labor, business, and individuals with disabilities, will examine unemployment rates and review successful employment programs. It must submit recommendations within two years to increase "competitive integrated employment" (full-time jobs in regular workplaces) for people with disabilities, focusing on state agency hiring practices and public-private partnerships. The bill directly affects state agencies that hire workers and people with disabilities seeking employment, without creating immediate funding or new regulations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates task force to study and improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities, directly advancing workers' rights in labor sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New York · Senate Dec 3, 2025

S 7653: Increases the civil penalties for violations of child labor laws

Bill S 7653 proposes to increase the civil penalties for employers found in violation of child labor laws. For a first violation, the maximum penalty would increase from $1,000 to $3,000. For a second violation, the penalty would range from $3,000 to $5,000, and for a third or subsequent violation, it would range from $5,000 to $10,000. The bill maintains that penalties are tripled if a violation leads to a minor's serious injury or death. These changes directly affect employers who do not comply with child labor regulations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases penalties for child labor violations, strengthening workplace safety protections for minors and holding employers accountable for violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5249: Relates to Medicaid eligibility for striking workers

This bill (S 5249) automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to workers participating in strikes or labor disputes, ensuring they maintain health coverage during the strike period. It directly affects striking employees who would otherwise lose Medicaid due to employment status, without requiring them to reapply. Key provisions include limiting coverage strictly to the duration of the strike, prohibiting the consideration of personal resources (like savings) when determining eligibility, and allowing temporary "presumptive eligibility" through health department processes. The bill requires the Health Commissioner to create implementing regulations for eligibility rules and covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically maintains Medicaid for striking workers, preventing coverage loss during labor disputes and expanding access without reapplication or resource assessment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAutomatically maintains Medicaid for striking workers, protecting health coverage during labor disputes without requiring reapplication or considering personal resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Collective Bargaining

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