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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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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passed · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 4478: Requires the department of labor to provide a document on workplace rights to any minor seeking working papers

Requires the department of labor to provide a document on workplace rights to any minor seeking working papers and to make such document available in other languages and to school officials who issue working papers.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides workplace rights document to minors seeking work authorization, aligning with immigrant service support and language accessibility for vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides minors with workplace rights information, enhancing protection for young workers through mandatory documentation and multilingual access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 2271: Prohibits an employer, licensing agency or employment agency from requesting or requiring that a prospective employee disclose certain personal information

Prohibits an employer, licensing agency or employment agency from requesting or requiring that a prospective employee disclose their age, date of birth or date of graduation from an educational institution on an initial employment application or during an interview, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification or need.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits age/DOB requests to prevent discrimination, protecting workers' rights in hiring process per labor topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 9145: Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act"

S 9145, the "Recovery Ready Workplace Act," creates a certification program for employers to become "recovery ready workplaces" (RRWs), directly affecting businesses with employees and their workers struggling with substance use disorders. Key provisions require employers to implement specific policies, including providing naloxone access, offering anti-stigma training for staff, ensuring equal health coverage for substance use disorder treatment as physical health care, and connecting with recovery organizations within six months of certification. Employers must also develop written plans with employee and union input, address workplace stressors linked to substance misuse, and maintain confidentiality for employees seeking support. The law aims to reduce barriers to care and normalize recovery support in the workplace through structured certification criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal health coverage for substance use disorder treatment as physical health care, advancing insurance coverage access for mental health services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal health coverage for substance use disorder treatment, naloxone access, and anti-stigma training - strengthening workplace safety and worker health protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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