Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 746: Establishes unpaid leave of absence as a reasonable accommodation under the state's human rights law

This bill adds unpaid leave as a formal "reasonable accommodation" under the state's human rights law for employees with disabilities or pregnancy-related conditions. It specifically allows unpaid leave to recover from episodic health issues, requiring medical certification and an estimated return date, but prohibits indefinite leave. Employers must engage in an interactive process with the employee to determine appropriate accommodations, including the leave duration. The law applies directly to covered employers and employees seeking this type of leave for qualifying health needs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly establishes unpaid leave as a required reasonable accommodation under human rights law for disabled/pregnant employees, strengthening workplace rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Professional Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4355: Relates to the regulation and licensing of on-demand pay providers

This bill establishes new regulations for on-demand pay providers in New York, which allow workers to access earned wages before their regular payday. It specifically distinguishes between "employer-integrated" providers (those working directly with employers) and "non-verified" providers (those not tied to employers). Employer-integrated providers must register with the superintendent, disclose fees clearly, and follow strict rules about user rights and data privacy, but are not treated as lenders. Non-verified providers, however, are regulated as lenders under loan laws and cannot charge more than 10% annual interest on advances. The law applies directly to workers who use these services and the companies offering them in New York.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRegulates on-demand pay providers to ensure fee transparency and protect worker rights/data privacy, advancing access to earned wages without exploitation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates strict data privacy rules for employer-integrated on-demand pay providers, explicitly addressing data privacy as part of technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Data Privacy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2014: Relates to collective bargaining rights for college athletes and authorizes the public employment relations board to exercise jurisdiction over collective bargaining matters

Relates to collective bargaining rights for college athletes; authorizes the public employment relations board to exercise jurisdiction over institutions of higher education and college student athlete employees of such institutions in relation to all collective bargaining matters.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAuthorizes collective bargaining for college athletes as employees, directly supporting worker organizing rights under labor law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1167: Relates to providing hazard payments to essential workers during a state disaster emergency

Relates to providing hazard payments to essential workers during a state disaster emergency; provides that certain employers shall make hazard payments to essential workers during a state disaster emergency provided no hazard payment shall exceed twenty-five thousand dollars in any year for any essential worker earning less than two hundred thousand dollars per year or five thousand dollars for any essential worker earning more than two hundred thousand dollars.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates hazard payments to essential workers during disasters, directly enhancing financial protections and benefits for workers in high-risk roles during emergencies.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4463: Relates to paid family leave after a stillbirth

This bill amends New York's workers' compensation law to explicitly include "recovering after a stillbirth" as a qualifying reason for paid family leave. It directly affects employees who experience a stillbirth, allowing them to take paid leave to recover. The key change adds this specific provision to the existing list of eligible reasons for family leave under the law, without altering other provisions or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands paid leave for health recovery after stillbirth, improving access to care during a critical health event without restricting coverage.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly expands paid family leave benefits to include stillbirth recovery, strengthening worker benefits under employment standards by adding a qualifying reason to existing protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1686: Relates to prohibition of certain activities in extreme temperatures

This bill prohibits retail businesses from requiring employees to perform "human billboard" activities - such as holding signs or wearing branded clothing outside stores for advertising - when outdoor temperatures reach 90°F or higher. It directly affects retail employees who might otherwise be asked to stand outdoors in extreme heat for promotional purposes. The law defines "retail business" as entities selling consumer goods (like clothing or groceries) and specifies "extreme temperatures" as 90°F+ measured outdoors. The prohibition takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits outdoor 'human billboard' activities in extreme heat (90°F+), directly improving workplace safety for retail employees by preventing heat exposure risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 38: Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers that have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge

Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentVoluntary training program for neurodiversity inclusion advances workplace rights by promoting inclusive hiring practices and supporting neurodiverse workers' employment needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1810: Relates to unlawful discriminatory practices based upon delays in reporting workplace sexual harassment

This bill, the "No Right Time Act" (S 1810), prohibits employers from punishing employees for delaying reports of workplace sexual harassment. It directly affects employees who experience harassment and their employers by banning discrimination for late reporting or filing. The key provision extends the time limit for filing sexual harassment claims to three years after either reporting to the employer or leaving the job, whichever comes later. This replaces the standard statute of limitations with a clearer, employee-friendly timeline for pursuing legal action.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer punishment for delayed harassment reports and extends filing window to 3 years, directly protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5559: Establishes a credentialing pilot program for direct support professionals

Bill A 5559 establishes a pilot program to credential direct support professionals (DSPs) who work with individuals receiving care in state-operated and not-for-profit facilities. The program aims to professionalize the DSP field by promoting career advancement, developing advanced skills, and enhancing workforce recruitment and retention. It includes a credentialing and education program, along with comprehensive training that may feature online modules and mentorships. An advisory council, comprising DSPs, providers, and self-advocates, will oversee the program's implementation. The Office is required to report on the pilot's effectiveness by November 2028, including recommendations for a potential statewide credentialing program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes DSP credentialing to professionalize workforce, improve care quality, and enhance retention in healthcare settings, aligning with support indicators for workforce development.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes career advancement and workforce retention for direct support professionals, aligning with employment standards by enhancing job quality and recruitment through credentialing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 860: Relates to imposing certain conditions on the approval of a charter school application

This bill (S 860) blocks the approval of charter school applications when converting an existing public school, if the school has a documented pattern of serious violations of civil service laws protecting employee rights. Specifically, it prevents approval if the school interfered with or discriminated against employees under state labor rules, as determined by the Public Employment Relations Board. The law requires that such violations must be resolved before a new application can be submitted in the future. It directly affects public schools seeking to convert to charter status by adding a new eligibility condition based on past labor practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBlocks charter approvals for schools violating employee rights, protecting educator labor standards within K-12 systems.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBlocks charter approvals for schools violating labor laws protecting employee rights, requiring resolution of violations before approval. Enforces compliance with labor protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Public Employees

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