Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 166: Relates to securing payment of wages for work already performed; creates an employee lien

Relates to securing payment of wages for work already performed; creates a lien remedy for all employees; provides grounds for attachment; relates to procedures where employees may hold shareholders of non-publicly traded corporations personally liable for wage theft; relates to rights for victims of wage theft to hold the ten members with the largest ownership interests in a company personally liable for wage theft.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates employee lien and personal liability for wage theft, strengthening worker payment protections and holding shareholders accountable.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 182: Increases the federal poverty level requirement for recipients where it concerns the one-time disregard of earned income

This bill increases the income threshold for a temporary public assistance benefit. It changes the rule so that individuals who recently started working can disregard all their earned income for up to six months (after job entry) if their total income is under 400% of the federal poverty level - up from the current 200% limit. This directly affects low-income working individuals receiving public assistance who are transitioning from unemployment to employment. The policy change aims to provide a longer financial buffer during early employment while maintaining eligibility for benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands public assistance eligibility by raising income threshold for earned income disregard, providing tax relief to low-income workers transitioning to employment.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases income threshold for public assistance during job transition, preventing benefit loss for low-income workers entering employment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Unemployment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7799: Relates to mandatory arbitration clauses in employment contracts

Bill S 7799 requires specific disclosures for mandatory arbitration clauses included in employment contracts. It directly affects employees who are required to sign such contracts, as well as employers who include these clauses. When an employee must agree to a mandatory arbitration clause, the employer or representative must clearly explain it in plain language. For contracts agreed to electronically or through mail, the contract must include a notice at the end and an internet link to a plain explanation of what an arbitration clause is.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires plain language disclosures for mandatory arbitration clauses, enhancing employee understanding of contract terms and protecting workers' rights to informed consent.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5163: Prohibits discrimination based on status as a person with a prior conviction

S 5163 amends New York's Executive Law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "status as a person with a prior conviction" in employment, licensing, and training programs. The bill adds this protected category to existing anti-discrimination provisions, making it unlawful for employers, licensing agencies, employment agencies, or labor organizations to refuse hiring, discharge, or discriminate against individuals with prior convictions in compensation, terms, or conditions of employment. It also prohibits discriminatory statements, advertisements, or inquiries related to this status, except where justified by a bona fide occupational qualification. This policy change directly affects job seekers and workers with criminal records seeking employment opportunities across New York State.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits employment discrimination against people with prior convictions, advancing reentry and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds protected class for individuals with prior convictions, prohibiting employment discrimination and advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 791: Allows employees to receive paid sick leave to care for sick pets

Enacts the "sick leave for pets care act"; allows employees to receive paid sick leave for the medical diagnosis or treatment of such employees' sick pets.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands worker benefits by adding paid sick leave for pet care, a new employment benefit under labor protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 17, 2025

S 185: Relates to restricting the use of electronic monitoring and automated employment decision tools

Restricts the use by an employer or an employment agency of electronic monitoring or an automated employment decision tool to screen a candidate or employee for an employment decision unless such tool has been the subject of an impact assessment within the last year; requires notice to employment candidates of the use of such tools; provides remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts unassessed employer monitoring tools, mandates impact assessments & notice to candidates, protecting workers from biased hiring practices.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires impact assessments and notice for automated employment tools, protecting employee data privacy and preventing misuse of technology in hiring decisions.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7394: Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to public works and certain construction projects performed under private contract

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to public works and certain construction projects performed under private contract and paid for with public funds.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wages for public construction projects, protecting workers' pay rights under labor standards95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8999: Relates to wage parity compensation for home care workers

This bill (A 8999) requires home care workers receiving wage parity compensation to be paid directly in cash wages by default, unless they voluntarily and in writing choose to receive part or all as supplemental benefits. It mandates clear, plain-language disclosures to workers about the monetary value, limitations, and their right to opt for cash at any time, prohibiting automatic enrollment in non-cash benefits. Employers cannot deduct wages to fund benefits without explicit, revocable written consent, and unauthorized deductions are deemed unlawful wage violations. The Attorney General and state health/labor departments will enforce these rules, with penalties for noncompliance. The law applies to all home care programs, including the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP).

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates cash payment by default for home care workers' wage parity, prohibits automatic non-cash enrollment, requires clear disclosures, and protects workers' right to choose cash, strengthening wage rights and transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6033: Establishes a tax credit for direct support professionals and direct care workers

Establishes a tax credit for individuals who serve or are employed as a direct support professional, or direct care worker, up to five thousand dollars for taxpayers who make less than fifty thousand dollars and phased out for individuals who make over one hundred thousand dollars.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTax credit for low/middle-income workers reduces their tax burden, aligning with fiscal support indicators for middle/lower income tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit for direct care workers strengthens healthcare workforce stability and access to essential services, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit up to $5k for low-income direct care workers, increasing take-home pay and supporting wage standards for vulnerable workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 191: Removes labor market attachment requirements for certain disability cases

This bill removes a requirement for workers with permanent partial disabilities to prove ongoing "labor market attachment" to receive ongoing compensation benefits. It directly affects injured workers who have been classified as permanently partially disabled due to work-related injuries. The key change eliminates the need for these claimants to demonstrate continued workforce engagement to maintain benefits, while keeping the existing compensation rate (66.67% of lost wages) and maximum benefit duration limits based on the severity of disability. The bill applies to cases with injury dates after the effective date of related 2017 legislation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves requirement for injured workers to prove ongoing workforce engagement to maintain disability benefits, strengthening access to compensation without altering benefit rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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