Labor & Employment (Labor Standards)

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 2382: Prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for confronting an individual to prevent a theft or the unlawful taking of goods, wares, or merchandise

Prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for confronting an individual to prevent a theft or the unlawful taking of goods, wares, or merchandise; does not prohibit employers from training or re-training employees on policies against confrontation of theft.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer retaliation against employees confronting theft, directly protecting workers' rights in workplace conduct without restricting protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6542: Relates to farm worker meal and lodging minimum wage credits

This bill adjusts minimum wage credits for farm workers who receive meals, lodging, or utilities as part of their compensation. It requires the state department to update these credit amounts every five years based on inflation data, starting with a publication deadline of December 1, 2025. The updated values take effect on January 1st following publication. This ensures the credits maintain their real value as living costs rise, directly affecting farm workers receiving these benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts tax credits for farm workers (lower-income group) via inflation-based updates, maintaining real value of tax relief and promoting fiscal responsibility in wage credit structure.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill maintains real value of farm worker meal/lodging credits via inflation adjustments, protecting compensation benefits for workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3946: Relates to civil actions brought by employees

This bill (S 3946) allows employees to directly sue employers in court for violations of workplace safety/health standards or workplace violence, rather than relying solely on government enforcement. Employees can file such lawsuits within three years of the violation, and the time limit is paused (tolled) if they first report the issue to the labor commissioner until the investigation concludes. The court can order remedies like reinstatement, back pay, lost wages, attorney fees, and injunctions against the employer. It directly affects employees seeking redress for safety violations and employers facing potential civil liability. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables direct employee lawsuits for workplace safety violations, expanding legal recourse and remedies like back pay/reinstatement, strengthening worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1762: Relates to the maximum hours for home care aides

This bill limits home care aides to 12-hour shifts without their explicit consent. It prohibits employers from requiring overtime beyond this limit, and any agreement for longer shifts must be voluntarily provided in writing for each specific instance. The law protects aides from retaliation, including dismissal or penalties, for refusing excessive hours or reporting violations. Exceptions only apply during true emergencies after exhausting all staffing options, and even then, overtime cannot exceed four hours without consent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill limits home care aide shifts to 12 hours without consent, protects against retaliation, and ensures voluntary agreements, directly supporting healthcare workforce conditions and patient care quality.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits mandatory overtime, requires written consent for extended shifts, prohibits retaliation for refusing excessive hours - directly protects home care aides' rights and workplace standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1181: Grants employee protections conferred by the labor law to cheerleaders

This bill requires professional sports teams in New York to grant cheerleaders the same labor rights, benefits, and protections as other employees under state law. It directly affects cheerleaders who perform at professional sports games for teams based in the state, defining them as individuals doing acrobatics, dance, or similar promotional performances. The key provision mandates teams to provide these protections for all services related to the team, including performances during games. The bill does not create new benefits but extends existing labor law coverage to this specific workforce.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates labor protections for cheerleaders as employees, extending state law benefits and rights to a previously excluded group under Labor & Employment95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 892: Requires employers to provide paid vacation time

This bill (A 892) requires most employers to provide paid vacation time based on how long an employee has worked for them. Employees working at least 20 hours per week become eligible after one year (2 weeks), three years (3 weeks), and five years (4 weeks) of service. Employers cannot penalize workers for taking vacation, must allow requests with reasonable notice (up to 4 weeks), and cannot require work during vacation time. Employers may offer more vacation than required but must pay double wages if an employee chooses to forgo their entitled vacation time.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid vacation based on tenure, expanding worker benefits and protecting right to take time off without penalty.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7770: Requires the commissioner of labor to prepare an annual report on the cost of living, poverty rates and adequacy of the current minimum wage in the state

Requires the commissioner of labor to prepare an annual report on the cost of living, poverty rates and adequacy of the current minimum wage in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires report on minimum wage adequacy, indicating intent to assess and potentially strengthen wage standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5629: Provides that 32 hours shall constitute a legal week's work

This bill sets 32 hours as the standard legal workweek for most employees, reducing the previous standard from 40 hours. It directly affects most workers in non-farm occupations, excluding farm workers and certain employees covered under specific provisions of existing labor law. The bill allows for overtime agreements with increased pay, though these exceptions do not apply to state/municipal work or contractor agreements. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReduces standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours, improving work-life balance and worker benefits while allowing higher overtime pay, directly advancing labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7405: Requires or allows licensing entities to suspend business licenses for certain businesses that are charged or convicted of wage theft

Requires or allows licensing entities to suspend business licenses for certain businesses that are charged or convicted of wage theft; establishes reporting requirements for wage theft convictions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill directly protects workers' rights by enabling license suspensions for wage theft convictions, strengthening enforcement against employer non-payment of wages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Professional Licensing

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