Labor & Employment

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 172: Increases short-term disability benefits

This bill increases short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum benefit periods (from 8-10 weeks to 12 weeks) over time, starting in 2018. These changes apply to employees taking leave for disability or qualifying family care needs under New York's workers' compensation law. The bill requires employers to maintain health benefits during leave and prohibits retaliation for taking leave. The superintendent of financial services may delay benefit increases if needed to maintain program stability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases weekly disability benefits (50%→67% wage) and extends leave periods (8-10→12 weeks), expanding worker benefits under New York's workers' comp law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3337: Establishes an online database identifying regional skills and employment gaps and the skills and training needed to fill open and anticipated jobs

Directs the commissioner of labor to establish an online database identifying regional skills and employment gaps and the skills and training needed to fill open and anticipated jobs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates database to identify skills gaps and training needs, aligning workforce with job market to support employment standards and workforce development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 11, 2026

A 5906: Relates to mandatory employer disclosures regarding employee compensation and benefits

Relates to mandatory employer disclosures regarding employee compensation and benefits, including any non-salary or non-wage compensation and benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandatory disclosure of compensation/benefits increases transparency, supporting workers' rights to understand pay structures and benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5139: Relates to protections and rights afforded to delivery network company workers

Relates to protections and rights afforded to delivery network company (DNC) workers; requires DNCs to create internal procedures for workers to challenge deactivations; provides certain notice and other rights to workers to challenge deactivation both internally in a DNC and externally; allows the Department of Labor to investigate unwarranted deactivation of workers; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates DNCs to create worker challenge procedures for deactivation, protects rights via internal/external appeals, and enables DOL investigations - directly advancing worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1903: Restricts consecutive hours of work for health care workers

This bill limits health care workers, including nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel, to their regularly scheduled work hours without mandatory overtime. Exceptions allow longer shifts only during declared emergencies (like natural disasters or public health crises), federal/state emergency declarations, or when completing an ongoing medical/surgical procedure. It specifically excludes doctors, residents, and security staff from this definition. The law aims to protect patient safety by preventing excessive staff fatigue through concrete scheduling limits. Employers cannot use on-call time to bypass these restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLimits mandatory overtime for nurses/assistive staff to protect patient safety, aligning with support indicators like preventing burnout-related errors.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts mandatory overtime for nurses/UAPs to improve workplace safety and protect labor rights, directly aligning with worker protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6468: Provides for training and education for sustainable wage jobs and traditional and nontraditional employment in public assistance employment programs

This bill (S 6468) requires New York's public assistance employment programs to prioritize training for sustainable wage jobs (defined as at least 185% of the poverty line, adjusted regionally) and nontraditional employment fields (like skilled trades or tech, where one gender is under 25% represented) in employment plans for participants with high school diplomas or GEDs. It amends social services law to mandate that social services officials develop written employability plans that strongly consider these opportunities while meeting federal work requirements. The bill also defines "nontraditional employment" and "sustainable wage" to guide program implementation. It directly affects public assistance recipients seeking employment through state programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates training for sustainable wage jobs (185% poverty line) and nontraditional fields, advancing employment quality and wage standards for public assistance participants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4268: Creates a jobs development incentive income tax credit available to employers who employ individuals previously receiving unemployment

This bill creates a $2,400 tax credit for employers who hire individuals who previously received unemployment benefits in New York State. To qualify, an employee must have received unemployment benefits for at least two months, be hired for the first time by the employer, work at least 30 hours per week, and remain employed for 24 consecutive months. The credit is claimed after the 24-month employment period ends and can offset up to the employer's annual income tax liability, with unused portions carried forward for five years. It directly affects employers seeking to hire from the state's unemployment pool and unemployed individuals who meet the benefit and employment criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates employer tax credit ($2,400) to incentivize hiring unemployed individuals, reducing tax liability and promoting job creation through targeted fiscal policy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncentivizes hiring unemployed individuals, reducing unemployment and supporting job creation through tax credits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Unemployment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3646: Relates to the definition of manual worker

S 3646 clarifies the legal definition of a "manual worker" in labor law to mean someone whose primary job involves physical labor. It specifically excludes minor league baseball players covered by collective bargaining agreements that set their pay and working conditions. The bill requires the labor commissioner to create regulations and publish a list of occupations presumed to meet this definition. This change takes effect immediately and applies to workers covered under the state's labor laws.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExcludes minor league baseball players from manual worker definition, potentially limiting their labor law protections and collective bargaining coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6378: Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to construction projects performed under private contract; repealer

This bill amends New York's labor law to clarify which private construction projects must follow prevailing wage rules when using public funds. It defines "covered projects" as those where public funds make up at least 20% of total costs (over $5 million) or $3 million+ in public funds. The law excludes single-family homes, small nonprofits, and certain affordable housing projects (like those with 25%+ affordable units under 15-year agreements) from these requirements. It also specifies that tax benefits, loan savings, and some public subsidies do not count as "public funds" for this purpose.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes affordable housing projects (25%+ units, 15-year agreements) from prevailing wage requirements, reducing development costs to facilitate affordable housing construction.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies prevailing wage requirements for public-funded construction projects, maintaining wage standards for covered workers while narrowing exclusions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3983: Establishes the freedom to rally and engage equitably (FREE) act

Establishes the freedom to rally and engage equitably (FREE) act protecting employees from discrimination as a result of participating in certain political activities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects employees from discrimination due to political activities, directly advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence

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