Labor & Employment (Workers' Compensation)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 191: Removes labor market attachment requirements for certain disability cases

This bill removes a requirement for workers with permanent partial disabilities to prove ongoing "labor market attachment" to receive ongoing compensation benefits. It directly affects injured workers who have been classified as permanently partially disabled due to work-related injuries. The key change eliminates the need for these claimants to demonstrate continued workforce engagement to maintain benefits, while keeping the existing compensation rate (66.67% of lost wages) and maximum benefit duration limits based on the severity of disability. The bill applies to cases with injury dates after the effective date of related 2017 legislation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves requirement for injured workers to prove ongoing workforce engagement to maintain disability benefits, strengthening access to compensation without altering benefit rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 4816: Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation

Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation; clarifies that disability includes disability caused by Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases; requires insurance coverage of long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for long-term medical care of Lyme/tick-borne diseases, expanding health coverage for affected workers under workers' compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation to cover Lyme disease as occupational illness, requiring insurance coverage for long-term medical care, strengthening worker benefits and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 486: Provides for equitable disability policies

Provides for equitable disability policies; prohibits any difference, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, or national origin in the amount or payment of premiums or rate charges, or in the benefits payable, or in any of the other terms or conditions of any policy of disability insurance under the workers' compensation law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits discrimination in disability insurance benefits under workers' comp based on protected classes, directly strengthening equitable treatment and worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4742: Provides that either party to a workers' compensation claim can request a hearing

This bill (A 4742) allows either an injured worker or an employer to request a hearing in a workers' compensation claim. It requires the board to schedule such hearings within 45 days of the request, without imposing limits, fees, or penalties on either party. The bill also mandates that the board keep accurate records of all hearings and imposes penalties ($25 to a fund + $75 to the worker) if employers delay proceedings through tactics like failing to appear or produce evidence. It directly affects workers seeking compensation and employers facing claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows injured workers to request hearings without fees, mandates 45-day scheduling, and penalizes employers for delays - strengthening workers' access to compensation claims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 16, 2025

A 6647: Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on attachment to the labor market

Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on a claim that such workers have voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market by not seeking alternate employment that their injury or illness does not preclude them from performing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents withholding injury benefits tied to healthcare coverage, protecting workers' access to medical care and rights under workers' compensation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents withholding benefits from injured workers who can perform alternate jobs, directly protecting workers' rights and benefit access under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7361: Relates to medical treatment for certain workers' compensation claimants

Provides that where an employer or insurance carrier elects to controvert the right to compensation and such claimant holds a valid insurance policy, the employer or insurance carrier shall provide medical treatment to the injured claimant and payment to health care providers without regard to such controversy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures medical treatment and payment to providers for workers' comp claimants despite coverage disputes, protecting access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer/insurer payment for medical treatment during compensation disputes, ensuring injured workers' access to care without controversy delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5571: Relates to family leave

This bill amends New York's workers' compensation law to prevent employers from requiring employees to use paid time off before taking family leave. It expands the definition of "family leave" to include situations where an employee's family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent) is on active military duty within the U.S. (including contiguous states, Hawaii, Alaska, or territories). The law directly affects employees needing leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a newborn/adopted child, or address military-related exigencies. The policy change takes effect immediately, ensuring employees can access family leave without exhausting other accrued time first.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employers from requiring PTO before family leave, expands coverage to military family members, strengthening worker leave protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3955: Relates to notification in the case of a change to a workers' compensation claims representative

This bill requires insurance carriers and self-insured employers to notify injured workers (or their legal representatives) when a claims representative is replaced or no longer needed for workers' compensation claims. It mandates written notice within 14 business days - via email or certified mail - providing the new representative's name and contact details. The law applies specifically to workers receiving benefits under the state's workers' compensation system, ensuring they are informed of changes affecting their claim handling. This standardizes communication to prevent confusion during claim processing.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires clear notification of claims rep changes, protecting workers' rights to timely information in compensation claims process.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3235: Relates to the workers' compensation benefit of certain disabled employees

Provides that the weekly benefit which the disabled employee is entitled to receive for disability commencing: on or after January first, two thousand twenty-eight shall be fifty percent of the employee's average weekly wage but shall not exceed fifty percent of the state average weekly wage; on or after January first, two thousand twenty-nine shall be fifty-five percent of the employee's average weekly wage but shall not exceed fifty-five percent of the state average weekly wage; on or after January first, two thousand thirty shall be sixty percent of the employee's weekly average wage but shall not exceed sixty percent of the state average weekly wage; and on or after January first of each succeeding year, shall be sixty-seven percent of the employee's average weekly wage but shall not exceed sixty-seven percent of the state average weekly wage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases workers' compensation benefits from 50% to 55% of average weekly wage for disabled employees, strengthening financial protection for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4299: Authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by duly licensed or certified acupuncturists under the workers' compensation program

This bill (S 4299) allows injured workers covered by New York's workers' compensation program to receive acupuncture treatment from licensed or certified acupuncturists. It directly affects injured employees seeking treatment, acupuncturists who must meet specific education law requirements, and employers who must cover these services. Key provisions include requiring acupuncturists to submit treatment records to the state, establishing a fee schedule based on practitioner type (licensed vs. certified), and mandating that acupuncturists bill employers directly - not injured workers - within 48 hours of the first treatment. The bill also sets rules for dispute resolution over treatment fees and requires employers to allow impartial examinations of billing disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' comp coverage to include licensed acupuncture, improving access to alternative healthcare services for injured workers under existing insurance framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation benefits to include licensed acupuncture treatment, directly enhancing medical care access for injured employees under workplace safety protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track