Labor & Employment

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1672: Relates to certain construction projects

Defines the term "construction projects" to mean the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of any school building where a district receives any apportionment for debt service or building aid and the school building is sited within the Long Island region; provides that each contract involving the award of a construction project shall require the use of a project labor agreement for all contractors and subcontractors on such project.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates project labor agreements requiring union representation and standardized labor terms for school construction projects, strengthening collective bargaining.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3293: Relates to recoveries from a third-party action

This bill amends workers' compensation law to limit liens on third-party recovery funds. It specifies that insurance funds or employers can only claim a lien for lost wages or medical expenses paid to injured workers, not other damages. The law requires courts to equitably apportion legal fees between the worker and the lienholder when a third-party settlement or judgment is secured. This applies to workers who pursue legal action against a negligent third party while receiving workers' compensation benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures medical expenses for work injuries are covered under liens, protecting access to healthcare services for injured workers by limiting lien claims to medical costs only.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits employer liens to wages/medical costs only, ensures fair legal fee apportionment in third-party settlements, directly protecting worker recovery amounts from excessive deductions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 4, 2025

A 1678: Requires retail worker employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence

Updates requirements for retail worker employers when developing and implementing programs to prevent workplace violence; clarifies certain provisions of the retail worker safety act.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates retail employers to implement violence prevention programs, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for workers.95% confidence

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 7833: Relates to workplace safety equipment for social services employees

Requires every city or county social services district to provide a wearable or mobile phone-based panic button to each employee whose job responsibilities necessitate direct interaction with clients in a client's home.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires panic buttons for social services workers in client-facing roles, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8704: Expands the New York opportunity promise scholarship to include all SUNY and CUNY approved programs which award certain associate's degrees

This bill expands New York's Opportunity Promise Scholarship to cover all SUNY and CUNY community college programs awarding associate's degrees in high-demand fields. It directly affects students enrolled in these programs, including those in fields like nursing, cybersecurity, engineering, and green energy. The key mechanism adds all approved SUNY/CUNY associate degree programs in designated high-demand fields (updated annually by the Department of Labor) to the scholarship's eligibility. The change applies immediately for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond, broadening access to the scholarship.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship coverage to all SUNY/CUNY associate degree programs in high-demand fields, increasing access to higher education funding and student support.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'green energy' as a high-demand field for scholarship coverage, advancing renewable energy education access through funding.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands scholarships for high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity) designated by Labor Department, directly supporting workforce development in labor market needs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes cybersecurity programs in scholarship coverage for high-demand tech fields, funding education to strengthen cybersecurity workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Renewable Energy Cybersecurity

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7161: Establishes the work opportunity tax credit for businesses with fifty employees or less for hiring a long term unemployed person

Establishes the work opportunity tax credit for businesses with fifty employees or less for hiring a long term unemployed person; provides a credit shall be allowed of up to $2,400; provides the total amount of credit provided statewide shall not exceed fifteen million dollars.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit ($2,400 max) to small businesses for hiring long-term unemployed, reducing business tax liability and incentivizing job creation within budget constraints.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit to hire long-term unemployed, increasing job opportunities and workforce participation for vulnerable workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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vetoed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 1724: Relates to employee representation of state employees designated managerial or confidential

Provides notification of employment or promotion of applicable employees to organizations of state employees designated managerial or confidential for purposes of employee representation in determining the terms and conditions of employment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires notification to employee representation organizations about managerial/confidential state employee hires/promotions, enabling union involvement in employment terms, supporting collective bargaining rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7085: Requires that bus drivers be provided with regular rest periods to have the opportunity to use a restroom

Bill A 7085 requires bus drivers to be given at least 10 minutes of rest every 4 hours worked to use a restroom. It applies to all bus drivers employed by public or private transit companies operating vehicles carrying 9+ passengers (excluding the driver). Transportation providers must schedule these breaks without deducting pay from drivers’ wages, though collective bargaining agreements may establish different rest periods. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 10-minute rest breaks every 4 hours without pay deduction, directly enhancing workplace safety and workers' rights for bus drivers.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates rest periods for bus drivers to enhance transit safety and driver well-being, directly aligning with transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4253: Establishes tax credits for local newspaper subscriptions, newspaper payrolls, and local media advertising

This bill creates three tax credits to support local media. It provides a $250 annual credit for individuals who subscribe to qualifying local newspapers (print or digital), a credit covering 50% (2026) or 30% (later) of journalism wages up to $12,500 per employee for newspaper employers, and a credit for small businesses spending on local media ads (80% in 2026, 50% later, capped at $5,000 or $2,500). To qualify, newspapers must serve a single county or 200-mile radius, have 51% local readership, and employ at least one local journalist. The credits directly affect subscribers, newspaper employers, and small businesses purchasing local media advertising.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits reducing individual/business tax burden for local media support, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income groups.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides wage tax credits (50% of journalism wages up to $12,500/employee), directly supporting media sector employment and compensation through employer incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 3371: Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking

Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking; requires training on discrimination against individuals with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discrimination against crime victims, protecting civil rights and supporting victim access to justice, a key aspect of criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits workplace discrimination against victims of domestic violence/stalking, directly protecting workers' rights and aligning with employment standards protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence Employment Discrimination

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