Labor & Employment (Workers' Compensation)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 305: Relates to benefits of temporarily partially disabled workers

Clarifies that workers who are temporarily partially disabled are entitled to payment of benefits at a reduced rate unless their separation from employment is unrelated to the compensable injury.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures partially disabled workers receive reduced-rate benefits, protecting their entitlement to compensation for work-related injuries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3859: Authorizes workers' compensation claimants to use any in-state pharmacy that is registered with the education department

Authorizes workers' compensation claimants to use any in-state pharmacy that is registered with the education department, though an employer or insurance carrier may encourage use of a pharmacy with which it has a contract; provides that a workers' compensation carrier shall not be liable for charges from any out-of-state pharmacy or for any extemporaneous compound medication that has by been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands medication access for workers' comp claimants by allowing any registered in-state pharmacy, improving patient access without restricting options.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands workers' compensation claimant pharmacy choice and prevents carrier liability for approved meds, enhancing access to care under workers' comp benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4812: Enacts the COVID-19 injured workers' protection act

Enacts the "COVID-19 injured workers' protection act"; establishes a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presumption for public employee death benefits where a member was required to physically report to work; did in fact physically report to work as of March first, two thousand twenty; contracted COVID-19; and where the applicable head of the member's retirement system or such system's medical board determines COVID-19 to have been a significant contributing factor in the member's death.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides death benefits for public workers contracting COVID-19 at work, protecting health-related rights and ensuring coverage for work-related illness.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes presumption for public workers' death benefits due to work-related COVID-19, protecting workers' rights and expanding benefits without requiring proof of work connection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Employees Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8189: Relates to benefits of temporarily partially disabled workers

Clarifies that workers who are temporarily partially disabled are entitled to payment of benefits at a reduced rate unless their separation from employment is unrelated to the compensable injury.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies entitlement to reduced benefits for partially disabled workers, ensuring continued compensation related to injury, aligning with expanded worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5327: Relates to the requirement for policyholders to provide 30 days notice to withdraw from the state insurance fund

This bill requires employers to provide 30 days' written notice before withdrawing from the state workers' compensation insurance fund. Employers must submit this notice to the fund at least 30 days prior to their intended withdrawal date, and the fund must file a notice of cancellation at least 10 days before the effective date. The new private insurance contract cannot take effect until the state fund cancellation is finalized, preventing gaps in coverage. This applies specifically to employers switching from the state fund to private insurers under existing rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents gaps in workers' compensation coverage during employer transitions, ensuring continuous protection of workers' benefits and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4140: Enacts the protection in the workplace act

Enacts the "protection in the workplace act"; provides that injuries to employees as a result of the commission of a sexual offense shall entitle such employee to all rights and benefits available pursuant to the workers' compensation law and, in addition, shall permit such employee to pursue any other remedies available at law or in equity; clarifies that workers' compensation should be exclusive remedy except when the employee suffers personal injury as a result of a sexual offense committed by a co-worker.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands worker protections by allowing additional legal remedies for sexual offense injuries beyond standard workers' comp, strengthening workplace safety and rights95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8132: Defines temporary total disability

Defines temporary total disability as the injured employee's inability to perform such employee's pre-injury employment duties or any modified employment offered by the employer that is consistent with such employee's disability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDefines temporary total disability for workers' compensation, clarifying eligibility for benefits and protecting injured workers' rights under employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 998: Permits telemedicine services for mental and behavioral health issues under the workers' compensation system

Permits telemedicine services for mental and behavioral health issues under the workers' compensation system; permits one in-person visit within twelve months unless such in-person visit causes undue hardship on a patient.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits telemedicine for mental health under workers' comp, expanding access to care without restricting services or reducing benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands mental health care access under workers' compensation, strengthening worker benefits for work-related mental health issues.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Telehealth Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 16, 2026

A 84: Relates to increasing short-term disability benefits

This bill increases short-term disability benefits for New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over several years, starting in 2018. The changes apply to employees needing short-term disability leave due to illness or injury, directly affecting both workers and their employers who provide these benefits. The bill maintains a cap based on the state average weekly wage and allows the superintendent of financial services to delay increases if needed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases short-term disability benefits (50%→67% wage coverage, 8→12 weeks leave) for illness/injury, expanding healthcare access and financial protection for workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases short-term disability benefits from 50% to 67% wage coverage and extends leave from 8 to 12 weeks, strengthening worker benefits and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 295: Relates to permitting certain claims for compensation based on a COVID-19 diagnosis

This bill allows workers to file or reopen workers' compensation claims for disability caused by a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis if those claims were previously denied or missed filing deadlines due to time limits. It permits claims to be filed within one year of the law's effective date and requires the workers' compensation board to reconsider and re-determine previously denied claims for COVID-19 disability. The law takes effect immediately but expires after two years. It directly affects workers who missed filing windows or had claims rejected under prior time-related rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to workers' compensation for COVID-19 disability claims, strengthening healthcare-related benefits and patient access to covered care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands workers' compensation access for COVID-19 disability claims, allowing reopened/reconsidered denied claims and extending filing deadlines, directly strengthening worker benefits and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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