Labor & Employment

passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 4515: Requires employers of domestic workers to provide annual sick leave to such workers

This bill requires employers of domestic workers to provide paid sick leave, directly affecting household workers like nannies, caregivers, and housekeepers. It mandates that employers with 5-99 workers (including those hiring domestic workers) provide 40 hours of paid sick leave annually per employee, while larger employers (100+ workers) must offer 56 hours. Small employers (4 or fewer workers) must provide 40 hours of *unpaid* sick leave unless they earned over $1 million in the previous year, in which case it becomes paid. The law applies to all domestic workers as defined by existing labor law, with no exemption for household employers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid sick leave for domestic workers, expanding worker benefits and directly protecting employment standards per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 381: Relates to certain notices and guidelines regarding mental health services and resources available to employees

Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers written materials regarding mental health services and resources available to employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidance for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees; provides that such guidance be in written and digital resources and in English or translated to an additional primary language or languages as applicable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health resource materials for employers, promoting workplace mental health access and support per bill's directive to distribute written/digital resources.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health resources for employees, advancing workplace wellness and support under labor standards90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4464: Relates to the organization of industrial development agencies

This bill (S 4464) revises rules for New York's industrial development agencies (IDAs), which are local entities that support economic growth through tax incentives and development projects. It mandates that IDAs include at least one representative from a local labor organization (defined as groups focused on collective bargaining or workplace issues) and one representative from a school district or local government, alongside business and municipal representatives. Agencies must have 3-7 members appointed by local governing bodies, with no paid roles but reimbursement for necessary expenses. The bill directly affects IDAs operating across New York municipalities, requiring structural changes to their governance to include labor and education representation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates labor organization representation (focused on collective bargaining) in industrial development agencies, directly supporting worker voice in economic development decisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 559: Increases compensation of election inspectors to $300 and coordinators to $350 in New York city

Senate Bill S 559 increases the minimum compensation for election workers in New York City. Specifically, it raises the daily pay for election inspectors to $300 and election coordinators to $350. The bill also increases the minimum payment for election inspectors and poll clerks who attend required training sessions from $25 to $50, allowing counties to optionally provide transportation expenses. This legislation directly affects individuals serving in these roles during elections and training periods within New York City.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases pay for election workers (inspectors $300, coordinators $350), directly advancing wage standards for laborers in election roles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 2596: Relates to an individual's right to request a hearing regarding an unemployment insurance benefits claim

Relates to an individual's right to request a hearing regarding an unemployment insurance benefits claim; provides such a hearing can be requested if benefits or a written notice of determination denying their claim are not received within thirty days of providing all required information.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures timely access to unemployment benefits by granting hearing rights for delayed claims, directly protecting workers' rights under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 2264: Requires subsidiaries of certain transportation authorities and their employees to submit all unresolvable contract negotiations to binding arbitration

This bill requires subsidiaries of major New York transportation authorities (including MTA, NYCT, and upstate agencies like Niagara Frontier and Rochester-Genesee) and their employee unions to use binding arbitration for unresolved contract negotiations. If talks fail to reach agreement, the dispute must be referred to a three-member panel: one appointed by the employer, one by the union, and a neutral chair selected jointly. Both sides share the cost of the neutral member, and the process must conclude within 12 days. The bill directly affects transportation workers and their unions represented under these authorities, aiming to resolve labor disputes without strikes or work stoppages.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates binding arbitration for unresolved union contracts, ensuring disputes are resolved through neutral process, protecting collective bargaining rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 2384: Relates to the eligibility criteria for the excelsior jobs program act

Requires a business entity in violation of worker protection or environmental laws and regulations to surrender all previous state subsidies issued to such business entity.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires businesses violating worker protection laws to surrender subsidies, enforcing compliance with labor standards and protecting workers' rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 7837: Establishes the buy American, buy union grant program and the buy American, buy union grant fund

Establishes the buy American, buy union grant program and the buy American, buy union grant fund for the purpose of providing grants to municipal subdivisions to reimburse such municipal subdivisions for the costs of procuring consumer or commercial vehicles which are union-made.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant fund to reimburse municipalities for union-made vehicle procurement, increasing government spending on procurement programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds procurement of union-made vehicles, directly supporting union labor and collective bargaining through reimbursement grants for municipal purchases.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 5516: Requires railroad corporations to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection when a freight train is parked in a train yard prior to traveling on tracks within the state

Requires railroad corporations to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection when a freight train is parked in a train yard prior to traveling on tracks within the state including, but not be limited to, a review of tracks, safety equipment, including brakes, and train cars.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safety inspections for railroad operations, directly improving workplace safety standards for workers handling freight trains.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates safety inspections for freight trains, enhancing railroad safety standards directly supporting transportation safety protocols.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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signed · New York · Senate Apr 27, 2026

S 10060: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026

This bill provides an emergency appropriation of approximately $1.5 billion to fund state government operations for the month of April 2026. It directly affects all state departments, agencies, and employees by authorizing payments for salaries, benefits, and necessary business expenses. The legislation ensures that the state can continue paying its workers and covering operational costs while waiting for the governor to submit the official annual budget. Once signed into law, these funds become available immediately to prevent any interruption in government services during the fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding to ensure state operations and employee salaries continue, directly advancing fiscal management and budget stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides emergency funding to ensure state employees receive salaries and benefits, directly supporting worker compensation and operational continuity.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment