Labor & Employment

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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 2447: Clarifies the standard for intentional discrimination or retaliation claims

Clarifies the standard for intentional discrimination or retaliation claims by requiring a person or persons prove that an unlawful motivation was a motivating factor and not "the sole motivating factor" or a "but-for cause" of the challenged treatment.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentShifts burden of proof to require only a 'motivating factor' (not 'sole' or 'but-for') in discrimination claims, making it harder for workers to prove retaliation, thus weakening protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 2497: Relates to the admissibility of certain testimony and evidence by a person alleging discrimination

Permits the admissibility of testimony that a person reported acts of discrimination to another person in a civil trial under the human rights law, including the contents of such report.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPermits admissibility of discrimination reports in civil trials, strengthening workers' ability to prove discrimination claims under human rights law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 4804: Relates to establishing first responder safety zones

This bill establishes "first responder safety zones" on highways, defining them as areas up to 660 feet around facilities where fire, police, or ambulance vehicles are stationed. Within these clearly marked zones, the maximum speed limit for drivers is set at 15 miles per hour. Drivers are required to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles with active lights during an emergency within or entering these zones, and also to pedestrians crossing the roadway. Violations, such as failing to yield or exceeding the speed limit, carry fines, and a third offense for failing to yield can result in a one-year license suspension.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates safety zones to protect first responders from traffic hazards, directly improving workplace safety for emergency personnel.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes highway safety zones with 15mph speed limits and yielding requirements for emergency vehicles, directly enhancing road safety infrastructure and operations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 6134: Establishes a painters' apprenticeship program for public housing residents

This bill creates a state-administered apprenticeship program for New York public housing residents to train as painters. It requires no criminal history barriers for applicants and mandates comprehensive training in workplace safety (including lead/asbestos handling), painting techniques (surface prep, paint mixing, and finishing), and job skills like cost estimation. The program, managed by the state department with housing authorities, will provide structured on-the-job learning for residents of municipal housing authorities. It directly affects public housing residents seeking career opportunities in painting trades through accessible, no-barrier training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal history barriers for apprenticeship, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism risks for public housing residents.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates workplace safety training (lead/asbestos handling) and provides structured apprenticeship for employment, advancing worker skills and safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 190: Establishes the payment of certain volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker death benefits shall be within ninety days of the filing of application to receive such death benefit

Establishes the payment of certain volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker death benefits shall be within ninety days of the filing of application to receive such death benefit.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures timely death benefits for volunteer firefighters/ambulance workers, strengthening worker benefit protections through explicit 90-day payment requirement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 681: Relates to fingerprinting or mandatory iris and retina scanning of employees

S 681 prohibits most private employers from requiring fingerprinting or mandatory iris/retina scans as a condition of hiring or continued employment. It directly affects private-sector workers and employers, with key exceptions for state/municipal employees, public hospitals, medical colleges affiliated with public hospitals, and private hospitals. The bill amends labor law to make this prohibition explicit and takes effect immediately upon enactment. It does not apply to government workers or healthcare facilities receiving public funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits private employers from mandatory biometric scans, protecting workers' privacy rights and limiting employer overreach in hiring practices.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits private employers from mandating biometric data collection (fingerprints/iris scans), directly protecting employee data privacy per topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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died · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 496: Relates to the commissioner's duty to ensure employers inform employees about certain provisions in employment contracts

Requires employers to inform their employees that non-disclosure or non-disparagement provisions in their employment contracts do not prohibit them from speaking with law enforcement, the equal employment opportunity commission, the state division of human rights, a local commission on human rights, or an attorney retained by the employee.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures employees know non-disclosure clauses don't block reporting to authorities, protecting workers' rights to seek redress for discrimination or safety issues.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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