Labor & Employment

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 172: Increases short-term disability benefits

This bill increases short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum benefit periods (from 8-10 weeks to 12 weeks) over time, starting in 2018. These changes apply to employees taking leave for disability or qualifying family care needs under New York's workers' compensation law. The bill requires employers to maintain health benefits during leave and prohibits retaliation for taking leave. The superintendent of financial services may delay benefit increases if needed to maintain program stability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases weekly disability benefits (50%→67% wage) and extends leave periods (8-10→12 weeks), expanding worker benefits under New York's workers' comp law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 2071: Requires the department of labor create and maintain a list of available careers and job openings for veterans in the state of New York

Requires the department of labor create and maintain a list of available careers and job openings for veterans in the state of New York and provide such list to the department of veterans' services; requires such list to be placed on the department of veterans' services website.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a job listing resource for veterans, directly supporting employment opportunities within Labor & Employment.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires state labor department to maintain veteran job listings, directly supporting employment access for veterans through state agencies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4832: Requires the workers' compensation board to submit a supplemental report every year

Requires the workers' compensation board to submit a supplemental report every year, including recommendations to modernize such board and certain data regarding claims made and decisions rendered on such claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires annual reports with modernization recommendations for workers' compensation board, aiming to improve claim processing and benefits for injured workers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 372: Establishes the "no severance ultimatums act"

Establishes the "no severance ultimatums act", which prevents employers from giving coercive ultimatums to employees or former employees relating to severance agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employers from coercing employees into severance agreements, directly protecting workers' rights during job transitions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 182: Increases the federal poverty level requirement for recipients where it concerns the one-time disregard of earned income

This bill increases the income threshold for a temporary public assistance benefit. It changes the rule so that individuals who recently started working can disregard all their earned income for up to six months (after job entry) if their total income is under 400% of the federal poverty level - up from the current 200% limit. This directly affects low-income working individuals receiving public assistance who are transitioning from unemployment to employment. The policy change aims to provide a longer financial buffer during early employment while maintaining eligibility for benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands public assistance eligibility by raising income threshold for earned income disregard, providing tax relief to low-income workers transitioning to employment.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases income threshold for public assistance during job transition, preventing benefit loss for low-income workers entering employment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Apr 20, 2026

S 4188: Establishes the crime of misappropriation of payroll funds

Establishes the crime of misappropriation of payroll funds when a person knows that funds are designated for use as employee payroll funds or as payment of payroll taxes, and intentionally prevents the funds from being used for their designated purpose.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill criminalizes misappropriation of payroll funds, directly protecting workers' right to receive earned wages by preventing intentional diversion of funds meant for payroll.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 1673: Relates to requiring new employees to be provided certain information relating to student loan repayment information

S 1673 requires employers in New York to provide new employees with information about student loan repayment options when hiring for entry-level positions requiring an associate's degree or higher, including post-graduate internships. The bill mandates that employers distribute materials developed by state agencies covering federal repayment plans (like income-based options), loan consolidation, and public service forgiveness programs, plus links to the Department of Financial Services' student lending resources. It directly affects new hires in qualifying roles and all employers in the state, including public employers who must additionally detail public service forgiveness programs. The law does not change loan terms but ensures new employees receive clear, accessible guidance on managing student debt. The bill passed the Senate in March 2025 and is now in the Assembly.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides student loan repayment resources to new hires, enhancing financial support and employment benefits for workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 13, 2026

S 2494: Relates to actions involving public petition and participation

Provides that certain allegations made by employees involving employment discrimination shall be protected and matters of public interest in actions involving public petition and participation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects employees' discrimination allegations as protected public interest matters, advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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