Labor & Employment (Workers' Compensation)

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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4368: Provides an exemption from workers' compensation coverage for certain members of a recognized religious sect

Permits an employer who is a member of a recognized religious sect to file an application with the department of labor to be exempted from the provisions of the workers' compensation law with respect to employees who are members of the same recognized religious sect whose religious tenets or teachings oppose acceptance of any insurance benefits.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts religious sect employers from workers' comp, removing mandatory injury benefits for affected workers, weakening labor protection standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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