Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2095: Relates to a leave of absence for military spouses

Relates to a leave of absence for military spouses; removes the requirement that leave be used when a person's spouse is on leave while deployed to a combat theater or combat zone of operations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves requirement forcing military spouses to use leave during spouse's deployment, expanding flexibility in leave policies which supports workers' rights under employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8917: Prohibits employers from using workplace surveillance tools to surveil employees in private, off-duty areas or a worker's residence, vehicle or property

Prohibits employers from using workplace surveillance tools to surveil employees in private, off-duty areas or a worker's residence, vehicle or property; defines terms; establishes penalties for violations of such provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer surveillance in private off-duty areas, directly protecting workers' privacy rights and strengthening workplace privacy protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employer surveillance in private areas, directly protecting employee data privacy under technology policy.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6839: Increases the earned income tax credit

This bill increases New York State's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) rate to 45% for taxable years beginning in 2025, up from 30% previously. It directly affects low-to-moderate income working New York residents who qualify for the federal EITC. Key provisions include new payment options: taxpayers can choose a lump sum for credits under $200, quarterly payments for credits between $200-$2,400, or monthly payments for larger credits. The change applies to 2025 tax returns and includes a mechanism for the state to adjust the credit if federal funding changes impact the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases EITC rate to 45% for low-to-moderate income workers, providing tax relief and expanding state-funded credit for qualifying residents.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases EITC rate for low-income workers, directly boosting earnings and expanding tax benefits for employed residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9158: Relates to the use of paid sick leave for bereavement purposes

Allows an employee to use paid sick leave for bereavement upon the death of a family member, or upon pregnancy loss by the employee or the employee's spouse or domestic partner or upon a foster child leaving a foster family provided the foster child was in the care of the foster family for six months or longer.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid sick leave benefits to cover bereavement, miscarriage, and foster child transitions, strengthening employee workplace benefits under labor standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4048: Relates to flexible working arrangements for parents and legal guardians when day care centers and schools are closed during a state or local disaster emergency

Allows parents and legal guardians to work from home; allows flexible working arrangements during a public health emergency or state or local disaster emergency which closes schools or day care centers; defines terms; creates a rebuttable presumption that an employee can work remotely if such employee has done so for two consecutive pay periods or two weeks; creates a civil penalty for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables remote work during emergencies, creates rebuttable presumption for remote work, adds civil penalties - protects workers' rights to flexible arrangements during school closures.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3734: Permits schools to allow trade unions to make a recruitment presentation in a high school

Requires the principal of any high school to allow any local trade union, upon request, to enter the school for the purpose of trade union recruitment, including, but not limited to: making presentations; disseminating literature; and answering questions by students.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables union recruitment in schools, directly supporting collective bargaining efforts and workers' organizing rights under labor & employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2293: Relates to the right of public employees and employee organizations to strike; repealer

This bill repeals existing laws that prohibit public employees and their organizations from striking in New York. It removes specific provisions in the civil service law that banned strikes, imposed penalties like payroll deductions for violations, and required disciplinary actions against employees participating in strikes. The repeal directly affects public employees (such as teachers, sanitation workers, and government staff) and their unions by eliminating legal barriers to organizing strikes. This change would allow public employees to legally engage in strike activity under current labor laws, as the prohibitions are being removed. The bill does not create new strike rights but removes the existing ban.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals laws banning public employee strikes, removing penalties and disciplinary actions, thereby advancing collective bargaining rights and workers' organizing ability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8356: 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 associate's degree programs that lead to high-demand careers, directly affecting students enrolled in these specific programs. It specifies fields like nursing, cybersecurity, engineering, and green energy as eligible, with the list updated annually by the Department of Labor before each fall term. The change ensures students in approved associate's programs at SUNY/CUNY community colleges or campuses can access the scholarship without restrictions based on program type. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state scholarship funding for associate's programs, increasing government spending on education without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship coverage to all SUNY/CUNY associate's programs in high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.), increasing access to higher education for students.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'green energy' as an eligible field for scholarships, directly advancing renewable energy workforce development through education funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands scholarships for high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.) aligned with Department of Labor's annual updates, improving workforce readiness for labor market needs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly lists cybersecurity as an eligible field for scholarship coverage, directly advancing technology education in a high-demand sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Renewable Energy Cybersecurity

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 12, 2025

A 1316: Relates to the use of consumer credit history for certain purposes

Bill A 1316 prohibits employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, and state or municipal agencies from using an individual's consumer credit history when making decisions about hiring, employment, or granting licenses and permits. This includes information from credit reports, credit scores, and details about an individual's payment history or debts. The bill outlines specific exceptions where credit history can still be considered, such as for law enforcement positions, jobs requiring federal security clearance, or roles involving significant financial authority or access to trade secrets. Additionally, agencies can still consider an applicant's failure to pay taxes, fines, or court-ordered judgments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits use of credit history in hiring/employment decisions, protecting workers from discriminatory practices affecting job access.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7020: Exempts a portion of poll workers' income earned on an election day from state income tax

Exempts a portion of poll workers' income earned on an election day from state income tax; requires the board of elections, in conjunction with the department of taxation and finance, to conduct a public awareness campaign to inform poll workers of such tax exemption; requires the department of taxation and finance to issue guidelines on how poll worker income should be reported on tax returns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts poll workers' election day income from tax, providing tax relief for lower-income workers as specified in support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts poll workers' election day income from tax, directly increasing their net earnings and protecting income - a clear financial benefit for workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

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