Grants retroactive participation in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System to the Rockland Central School District; deems such school district to have been a participating employer beginning on July 1, 2025 and relates to contributions made by eligible employees on and after July 1, 2025.
Requires that notice of initial determinations for unemployment benefits be provided to claimants within 30 days of such claimant furnishing all necessary documentation, and if the commissioner is unable to issue a determination within such time frame they shall inform the claimant of the new estimated time frame for the issuance of a determination.
Includes the unaccrued portion of a non-schedule award in the amounts to be payable to and for the benefit of certain persons where a claimant was entitled to death benefits at the time of death.
This bill prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their student loan payment history or using that information to make hiring decisions. It directly affects job applicants, particularly those with student debt, by preventing employment discrimination based on their loan status. The law includes an exception for employers required by state/federal law or financial regulations to check this information. The bill applies to all employers except those in specific regulated industries like finance. It becomes effective immediately upon enactment.
Relates to requiring employers to obtain an acknowledgement of receipt from employees of their sexual harassment prevention policy and sexual harassment prevention training program in writing in English and in employees' primary languages; requires employers to obtain acknowledgements from employees and keep such acknowledgements for six years.
Grants employees access to personnel records; requires notice of negative information in such records and an opportunity for a review; permits employee to include certain information in personnel records.
This bill requires employers to provide new employees with clear, plain-language explanations about mandatory arbitration clauses before they sign employment contracts. Employers must explain what an arbitration clause means in simple terms, especially for contracts signed electronically or by mail, and include a link to a plain-language explanation. If a contract contains a prohibited mandatory arbitration clause (as defined by the bill), that specific clause is void, though other contract terms remain enforceable. The law applies to all new employment contracts entered into after the effective date.
Enacts the "anti-waiver of employment rights act" to invalidate any express or implied contractual provision waiving or otherwise limiting any employee's substantive or procedural rights, remedies, or claim.
Directs the department of veterans' services and the department of economic development to make available on their website information about federal and state programs available to businesses that employ veterans.
Waives the state's sovereign immunity in state and federal courts with regard to liability for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act; waives the immunity of all instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the state.
