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

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4917: Requires health insurance contracts cover postpartum pelvic floor therapy

This bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy as part of mandatory maternity care. It directly affects new mothers by ensuring their health insurance must include this specific therapy to aid recovery after childbirth. The bill amends existing insurance law to add "postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy" to the list of required benefits, alongside services like breastfeeding support and newborn assessments. The policy change applies to all insurance contracts issued or renewed on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for postpartum pelvic floor therapy, expanding required maternity benefits to improve access and patient recovery.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires health insurance coverage for postpartum pelvic floor therapy, expanding mandatory maternity benefits to support new mothers' health recovery and workforce continuity.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4473: Clarifies that the statutory damages available for certain wage violations are not punitive in nature and are designed to compensate workers

Clarifies that the statutory damages available for certain wage violations are not punitive in nature and are designed to be liquidated damages rather than penalties or to compensate workers for the employer's failure to prevent wage theft and for the harm to employees that results from such failure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies statutory damages as compensatory for wage theft, directly protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair compensation for employer violations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9406: Provides that certain members of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots shall be granted leave from work with pay for air force assigned missions

Provides that public officers and employees of the state who are members of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots shall be granted leave from work with pay to participate in emergency services during certain air force assigned missions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill grants paid leave for public employees participating in emergency air force missions, expanding worker benefits and protecting employment rights during service.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill grants paid leave for state employees serving in auxiliary military roles, supporting veteran-related service and recognition.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 10351: Provides that certain members of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots shall be granted leave from work with pay for air force assigned missions

Provides that public officers and employees of the state who are members of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots shall be granted leave from work with pay to participate in emergency services during certain air force assigned missions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants paid leave for military auxiliary service, enhancing worker benefits and protecting employment rights without pay loss during assigned missions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 9609: Approves notice and proof of disability from an attending nurse practitioner

Approves notice and proof of disability or proof of need for family leave, or proof of disability for a special cross-bow permit, from an attending nurse practitioner.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApproves nurse practitioner documentation for family leave, facilitating worker access to benefits. Cross-bow permit mention appears unrelated but doesn't negate labor support.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 4706: Relates to service retirement benefits for uniformed correction members of the New York city employees' retirement system

Provides that for New York city uniformed correction revised plan members of the New York city employees' retirement system, the service retirement benefit shall not be reduced by the primary social security retirement benefit commencing at age sixty-two.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents reduction of retirement benefits for correction officers, protecting earned employment benefits under retirement system rules.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 7376: Requires third-party food delivery services and third-party grocery delivery services to provide the ability to include a gratuity at the same point in the online order process when the underlying order is placed

Requires third-party food delivery services and third-party grocery delivery services to provide the ability to include a gratuity at the same point in the online order process when the underlying order is placed; provides that customers shall not be required to pay a gratuity; provides that third-party food delivery services and third-party grocery delivery services shall not reduce the compensation of any worker as a result of gratuities; establishes penalties for violations of such provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prevents wage reduction due to gratuities and ensures workers receive tips, directly protecting worker compensation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track