Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7768: Prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on such individual's status as a caregiver

This bill prohibits New York employers from discriminating against employees or job applicants based on their status as a caregiver. It explicitly adds "status as a caregiver" to the list of protected categories under anti-discrimination law, alongside characteristics like race, gender, and disability. The bill defines a caregiver as someone providing daily care for a minor child, elderly person, or disabled family member (including parents, spouses, or other relatives), while excluding paid domestic workers. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations like flexible schedules, remote work, or modified hours to support caregiving needs without imposing undue hardship. The law applies to all employment decisions, including hiring, pay, promotions, and working conditions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds caregiver status to anti-discrimination protections under employment law, directly advancing workers' rights by preventing workplace discrimination against caregivers.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 28: Relates to the minimum wage for employees with disabilities

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEliminates lower wage exemptions for disabled workers, mandating equal pay as non-disabled counterparts in comparable roles, strengthening wage protections for a vulnerable workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2025

S 7438: Relates to prohibiting contract provisions that waive certain substantive and procedural rights

Relates to prohibiting contract provisions that waive certain substantive and procedural rights relating to a claim of discrimination, non-payment of wages or benefits, retaliation, harassment or violation of public policy in employment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits waivers of rights in discrimination, wage claims, harassment - directly protects workers' ability to pursue legal claims, strengthening employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1710: Relates to guidelines to encourage participation in apprenticeships

Requires the commissioner of education to develop guidelines to encourage those in high school to participate in apprenticeships and to raise awareness in apprenticeship opportunities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires education commissioner to develop guidelines promoting high school apprenticeship participation, expanding student career pathways and educational access.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes apprenticeships for high school students, expanding workforce development and employment opportunities, aligning with labor & employment goals.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Child Labor Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3956: Establishes the employee privacy act prohibiting employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant

Prohibits employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment and prohibits municipalities from requiring employers to use the federal electronic employment verification system.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationThe bill prohibits employers from using the federal E-Verify system for employment authorization checks, limiting a tool for immigration enforcement in the workplace.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employers from checking employment status without job offers, protecting employee privacy rights under labor protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employers from using federal verification system for employee data checks, directly protecting employee privacy under data privacy policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8557: Requires reporting on merit determinations relating to unfair labor practices and a certificate of compliance to be eligible for state economic incentives

Requires reporting on merit determinations relating to unfair labor practices to the department of labor and a certificate of compliance to be eligible for state economic incentives.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates reporting on unfair labor practices and compliance certificate for state incentives, strengthening enforcement of workers' rights and labor standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 209: Establishes a Hire-Now tax credit

S 209 establishes a tax credit for businesses that create new full-time jobs in the state. It provides a credit equal to 6.85% of a new employee's gross wages (capped at $5,000 per employee annually for three consecutive years), with an additional $3,000 credit for hires who were receiving unemployment benefits during 2027-2028. The credit applies only to employees hired after July 1, 2026, who increase a business's total workforce above its 2025 employment level (defined as "base employment"). Businesses can use the credit to offset quarterly tax payments, and the credit cannot be claimed if other employment-based credits apply for the same hire.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides business tax credit to incentivize job creation, reducing state tax revenue to stimulate economic growth and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill incentivizes job creation via tax credits (including $3k for unemployment beneficiaries), directly advancing employment growth and reducing unemployment rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Unemployment

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5025: Includes Stewart International Airport in the definition of covered airport location for the purposes of minimum wage rates

This bill amends New York's labor law to include Stewart International Airport in the list of "covered airport locations" where airport workers are entitled to minimum wage rates. It directly affects workers at Stewart International Airport who perform airline catering work, expanding their eligibility for minimum wage protections previously applied only at JFK and LaGuardia airports. The key mechanism is a simple definition change in Section 696-a of the labor law, adding Stewart to the existing list without altering wage rates or creating new requirements. The bill has no other provisions or impacts beyond this definitional update.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands minimum wage protections to Stewart International Airport workers by including it in covered locations, directly advancing wage rights for additional workers previously excluded.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3524: Increase the amount of family leave time that may be taken in a year

This bill increases New York's paid family leave benefits by raising the maximum leave time from 10 weeks to 26 weeks per year (52-week calendar period), effective January 1, 2020, and gradually increasing the benefit percentage from 60% to 100% of an employee's average weekly wage (capped at 80% of the state average). It directly affects New York employees who need leave for family care (e.g., newborns, sick relatives), employers providing this benefit, and insurers administering the program. Key provisions include a minimum $100 weekly benefit, the option for employees to use accrued vacation time instead of family leave (with full pay), and a superintendent's authority to delay benefit increases if market stability is at risk. The bill also clarifies that leave duration cannot exceed 26 weeks in any 52-week period and ensures reinstatement protections.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases paid family leave duration (10→26 weeks) and benefit percentage (60%→100% wage), directly expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3160: Relates to issuing a certificate of compliance to any employer who achieves a gender pay gap of 10% or less

This bill creates a state certificate for employers who achieve a gender pay gap of 10% or less between women and men performing equivalent work (same or comparable roles requiring similar skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions). Private and public sector employers meeting this standard would receive a certificate from the labor department, which must be posted publicly on the department’s website. Employers may also display the certificate on their own websites or premises. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill incentivizes closing gender pay gap via certification, promoting equal compensation and advancing worker rights in employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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