Labor & Employment

signed · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 8818: Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians; repealer

Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians, including requiring that all tower technicians performing work pursuant to a contract with a state agency complete training requirements determined by the office of general services prior to commencing work pursuant to such contracts; repeals legislative intent relating to such tower technician protections; relates to the effectiveness thereof.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safety training for tower technicians, directly enhancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 2499: Relates to employment discrimination relating to family leave

Provides that an employee shall not be required to request reinstatement in order to file a discrimination claim regarding paid family medical leave benefits; permits a private right of action for certain violations as an alternative to a workers' compensation claim; provides for attorneys' fees and costs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects workers' rights by eliminating reinstatement requirement for family leave discrimination claims and enabling private legal action, strengthening employment protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 2640: Includes veterans in the definition of military status for purposes of unlawful discrimination

This bill amends New York's law to explicitly include veterans in the legal definition of "military status." It expands the current definition - which already covers active military service - to protect veterans who have completed their service from unlawful discrimination. The key change adds the phrase "a person's participation in the military service... if such person has been released from such service" to the existing definition. This means veterans will now be covered under the same anti-discrimination protections that apply to active-duty military personnel. The change applies to all areas governed by this law, including employment and housing.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly expands anti-discrimination protections to cover veterans in employment, strengthening workers' rights under Labor & Employment by adding veterans to protected classes.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands anti-discrimination protections to cover veterans by amending military status definition, strengthening legal safeguards for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 1142: Relates to the statute of limitations for actions based on employment discrimination

Relates to the statute of limitations for actions based on discriminatory practices in employment; establishes action must be commenced within six years.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends statute of limitations for employment discrimination claims to six years, enabling workers more time to pursue legal action and protecting their rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 410: Relates to certain jury awards in employment discrimination actions

Provides that the court shall not reduce jury awards as excessive in employment discrimination actions unless the court finds exceptional circumstances which compel the conclusion that the jury was influenced by partiality, prejudice, mistake or corruption.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents courts from reducing discrimination awards, protecting workers' rights in employment cases by ensuring full jury compensation unless exceptional circumstances exist.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 4925: Relates to requiring training to reduce abusive conduct and bullying in the workplace

This bill requires employers with 20+ full-time permanent employees to create a written workplace violence prevention program that includes specific training to address abusive conduct and bullying. The program must identify workplace risks (like working alone or public-facing roles) and detail prevention methods, such as conflict resolution training and reporting systems for aggressive behavior. Employees must receive annual training on recognizing and reporting bullying, understanding workplace risks, and using safety measures like emergency procedures and security devices. The law applies to all covered employers statewide and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates anti-bullying training and prevention programs for employers, directly enhancing workplace safety and protecting workers' rights per Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3750: Creates the office of older adult workforce development within the office for the aging

This bill creates a new office within the Office for the Aging focused on supporting older adults in the workforce. It establishes a coordinator (appointed by the Office for the Aging director) who will work with the Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights to develop and coordinate programs. Key provisions include creating a centralized website with job resources, providing information on age discrimination protections, and offering outreach about available services. The office directly serves older adults seeking job placement, career development, or workplace support.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates office to support older workers with job resources, age discrimination protections, and coordination with Labor Dept., directly advancing workforce inclusion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 5432: Increases benefits for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers

Bill S 5432 increases various disability benefits for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers injured in the line of duty. It doubles the weekly permanent total disability benefit from $600 to $1200 and raises the maximum combined earnings and benefits for severely injured volunteers from $800 to $1600. The bill also significantly increases temporary total disability benefits, setting a rate of $650 per week for injuries from July 2021 to June 2025, and $800 per week for injuries occurring after July 2025. These adjustments aim to provide enhanced financial support to volunteers experiencing disabilities from their service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly increases disability benefits for injured volunteer workers, expanding financial protection and strengthening workplace safety support for laborers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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died · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 6956: Relates to increasing the earnings limitation for positions of public service

Relates to increasing the earnings limitation for positions of public service; increases the earnings limitation from $35,000 to $65,000 in 2027 and thereafter.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases public service earnings cap from $35k to $50k, directly raising compensation limits for workers in these roles.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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