Labor & Employment

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 10643: Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealer

This bill modifies regulations for the cannabis industry in New York to strengthen labor standards and market oversight. It requires new and renewing license applicants to sign labor peace agreements with unions, making the maintenance of these agreements a condition for certification and registration. The legislation also establishes a new Cannabis Industry Wage Board to set fair wages and working conditions, while giving the state board authority to review licenses and modify terms if large market players hinder social equity goals. Additionally, the bill mandates that applicants disclose detailed ownership structures and salary information to promote transparency and accountability within the industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates labor peace agreements and establishes a wage board to strengthen worker rights and fair wages.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9581: Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use

Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use for the previous year; requires the department of labor to file an annual report on the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use in the state; establishes penalties for covered business that fail to submit such reports.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates AI hiring impact reporting to protect workers from potential discrimination and inform future labor protections, aligning with worker rights advancement.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI impact reporting for transparency in hiring/business practices, aligning with regulatory oversight for responsible tech use as per indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8239: Relates to procedures for issuing safety and health rules

Removes certain provisions regarding public hearing and notice requirements prior to issuing safety and health rules, and notice requirements after issuing safety and health rules.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves public hearing/notice requirements for safety rules, weakening procedural safeguards that protect workers' safety standards and transparency in rulemaking.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8426: Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder

Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder; incorporates into law federal enforcement rules set forth in the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act of 2008.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurer discrimination against mental health/substance use disorder patients, enforcing parity and protecting patient rights under federal law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents insurer discrimination on mental health/substance use, ensuring equal access to benefits, aligns with expanding worker benefits under employment standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9759: Prohibits non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants

Prohibits non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibiting non-compete agreements strengthens worker rights by increasing mobility and bargaining power.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8877: Relates to certain mandatory disclosures for job advertisements

Requires certain mandatory disclosures for printed or digital job advertisements by an employer or third-party job posting entity; provides for the imposition of a fine of $2,500 for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates transparency in job ads to prevent misleading practices, aiding worker decision-making and protecting rights through disclosure requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 7007: Relates to requiring mental health first aid training for licensed cosmetologists and barbers

This bill requires licensed cosmetologists and barbers to complete an eight-hour mental health first aid training program. The training teaches participants to recognize symptoms of mental health crises (like anxiety or depression), safely de-escalate situations, and refer clients to appropriate community resources. All current licensees and new applicants must complete this certified training to maintain or obtain their licenses. The law aims to enhance community safety by equipping beauty professionals - who interact closely with the public - with skills to support individuals in mental health distress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health first aid training for cosmetologists/barbers to recognize crises and refer to resources, directly supporting mental health service access and community safety.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates mental health first aid training for cosmetologists/barbers, directly improving workplace safety by teaching crisis recognition and de-escalation skills.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 3460: Relates to granting employees access to personnel records

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill grants employees access to personnel records, requires notice of negative entries, and allows review/inclusion of information, directly protecting worker rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 413: Relates to the resolution of certain claims by certain employees

Makes the release of any claim by an employee, or independent contractor who is a natural person, against an employer, unenforceable if, as a condition of such resolution, the employee or independent contractor is prohibited from applying for, accepting, or engaging in future employment with such employer, or any entity or entities related to such employer.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employers from forcing employees to waive future employment rights in settlements, directly protecting workers' ability to seek other jobs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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