Labor & Employment

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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died · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3815: Relates to special accidental death benefits paid to a deceased member's children

Bill S 3815 amends New York's accidental death benefit rules for children of public safety employees. It allows children who were under age 25 when their parent (a police officer, firefighter, EMT, correction officer, or similar public safety worker) died accidentally to receive benefits until age 18 or 23 (whichever applies), instead of the previous cutoff of age 23. The key change extends the eligibility window for qualifying children by two years, ensuring those who turned 23 after their parent's death but were under 25 at the time of death can still receive benefits. This applies to children of members of specific public safety systems, including police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services in New York City and surrounding areas.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill extends accidental death benefit eligibility for public safety workers' children, expanding worker benefits. Directly supports family security in employment context.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 1202: Relates to use of accrued sick time, compensation time or vacation time

This bill allows public employees in New York (including state, county, school district, and retirement system workers) to use accrued sick, vacation, or personal time during waiting periods for workers' compensation benefits or when their claim is disputed. Employers cannot force employees to use this time during such periods, and if an employee later qualifies for benefits, they get their used time fully restored. The law does not apply to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements unless their union specifically opts in to these provisions. It preserves existing collective bargaining rights while ensuring employees don't lose accrued time during workers' comp processing delays.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects public employees' accrued sick/vacation time during workers' comp disputes, preventing loss of benefits and mandating restoration if claims succeed. Directly strengthens worker protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 79: Requires body armor worn by New York city emergency services personnel to be replaced every five years

This bill requires New York City emergency medical services personnel to replace their body armor every five years. It directly affects all employees in the city's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services who wear body armor while providing emergency care. The key provision mandates that the armor must meet National Institute of Justice safety standards and be replaced on a fixed five-year schedule, rather than as needed. This creates a clear, mandatory maintenance cycle to ensure consistent protection for these first responders.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 5-year body armor replacement meeting NIJ standards, directly enhancing workplace safety for emergency medical personnel.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 8810: Relates to special accidental death benefits paid to a deceased member's children

This bill (A 8810) extends accidental death benefits to children of qualifying public safety workers who were under age 25 when the worker died. Previously, benefits for children ended at age 18 or 23 (if a student), but this change provides lifetime benefits for those children. It applies to children of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, correction officers, and other emergency service workers covered under New York’s retirement systems. Benefits are calculated as the deceased worker’s salary minus other received death benefits and continue for the child’s lifetime without age restrictions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends accidental death benefits to children of public safety workers indefinitely, expanding post-employment financial support for families, aligning with worker benefit protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 4612: Includes coverage of treatment rendered by a massage therapist

Bill S 4612 amends the workers' compensation law to include coverage for treatment provided by licensed massage therapists. It defines "massage therapist" and adds them to the list of authorized healthcare providers within the workers' compensation system. Under this bill, an injured employee can receive massage therapy if prescribed or referred by an authorized physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, or nurse practitioner. Massage therapists rendering such treatment would be required to maintain patient records. However, their reports or opinions would not be considered evidence of the causal link of an injury to a work accident or occupational disease, nor evidence of disability, under this law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' compensation health coverage to include licensed massage therapy services, increasing access to alternative treatments for injured workers under prescribed care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation benefits to include licensed massage therapy for work injuries, strengthening treatment access and recovery support for injured workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 5142: Subtracts from the federal adjusted gross income any income earned by election inspectors, poll clerks, or election coordinators

Subtracts from the federal adjusted gross income any income earned by election inspectors, poll clerks, or election coordinators earned while working in relation to a general, primary, run-off primary, or special election to the extent includable in gross income for federal tax purposes; exempts such income from being included in the calculation of the amount of benefits under public assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts election workers' income from federal tax calculations, providing tax relief for lower-income earners as per tax relief indicator.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts election worker income from federal tax and public assistance calculations, increasing disposable income and benefit access for specific labor roles.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 2076: Requires that notice of initial determination for unemployment benefits be provided

Requires that notice of initial determinations for unemployment benefits be provided to claimants within 30 days of such claimant furnishing all necessary documentation, and if the commissioner is unable to issue a determination within such time frame they shall inform the claimant of the new estimated time frame for the issuance of a determination.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires timely notice for unemployment benefit determinations, protecting claimants' rights by preventing undue delays in accessing benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 8480: Relates to payment of certain awards for disability

Includes the unaccrued portion of a non-schedule award in the amounts to be payable to and for the benefit of certain persons where a claimant was entitled to death benefits at the time of death.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures payment of unaccrued disability/death benefits, protecting workers' compensation rights and expanding benefit security for claimants' beneficiaries.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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