Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5176: Relates to establishing when a tip credit applies to employees working at tipped and non-tipped occupations on the same day

This bill clarifies when employers can apply a tip credit to workers who perform both tipped and non-tipped tasks on the same day. Specifically, if a service or food service worker spends more than 20% of their shift in a non-tipped role, they must be paid the full minimum wage for that portion of the day, not the reduced wage allowed with a tip credit. Regular side tasks directly related to their primary job (like busking in a restaurant) do not count as non-tipped work. The bill also specifies that employers improperly applying a tip credit must only compensate the affected worker in a tip pool, not all workers in the pool.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures workers get full minimum wage when >20% of shift is non-tipped work, protecting wage rights and preventing underpayment under tip credit system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5728: Expands participation in the New York state secure choice savings program

This bill expands New York's Secure Choice retirement savings program by lowering the employer eligibility threshold from 10 to 5 employees. It directly affects small businesses in New York that previously didn't qualify but now meet the new requirement (having 5+ employees, operating for at least two years, and not offering a retirement plan in the past two years). The key change amends the law to define "employer" more broadly for the program, making it accessible to more small businesses. This policy change aims to increase access to automatic retirement savings options for more workers without requiring employers to administer their own plans.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement savings access for more workers by lowering employer threshold, strengthening employee benefit programs and workplace financial security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4097: Relates to the entitlement to unpaid leave of absence for victims of domestic violence

Provides for unpaid leave of absence for victims of domestic violence; permits victims of domestic violence to take an unpaid leave of absence for twenty days from employment to address on-going domestic violence; defines "address on-going domestic violence"; contains provision to protect the individual's job position and benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides job-protected unpaid leave for domestic violence victims, advancing workers' rights and safety protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5536: Increases salaries for foster care direct care workers; appropriation

This bill increases salaries for foster care direct care workers, caseworkers, and their supervisors in voluntary foster care agencies. It appropriates $17 million from the state general fund to support these raises, effective for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 fiscal years. The funding comes through the foster care block grant and must be used directly to boost employee compensation. The bill aims to address chronic underfunding and improve workforce stability in the child welfare system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $17M from state general fund to increase foster care worker salaries, directly funding public service workforce stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly increases salaries for foster care workers with $17M appropriation, directly advancing wage standards and workforce stability in labor sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7142: Prohibits employment discrimination against persons whose criminal charges have been adjourned in contemplation of dismissal

This bill prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants or employees who had criminal charges dismissed after an "adjournment in contemplation of dismissal" (a legal process where charges are put on hold pending successful completion of conditions, like probation). It clarifies that such dismissed cases do not count as a conviction or admission of guilt, preventing employers from using them as a basis for denial of employment or licenses. The law amends existing criminal procedure statutes to explicitly state that these dismissed cases should not result in employment penalties or affect an individual's status. It directly affects people with these specific dismissed charges when seeking or maintaining employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents employment discrimination based on dismissed charges, aiding reintegration and reducing barriers for individuals with criminal justice system involvement, aligning with reform goals.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination based on dismissed criminal charges, protecting applicants from unfair denial of employment due to non-conviction records, advancing workers' rights and fair employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2025

S 7453: Provides protection to employees and former employees from retaliatory actions by employers for the reporting of illegal or dangerous business activities

Provides protection to employees and former employees from retaliatory actions by employers for the reporting of illegal or dangerous business activities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects employees from retaliation for reporting illegal/dangerous activities, advancing workers' rights and workplace safety protections.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 16, 2025

A 6647: Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on attachment to the labor market

Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on a claim that such workers have voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market by not seeking alternate employment that their injury or illness does not preclude them from performing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents withholding injury benefits tied to healthcare coverage, protecting workers' access to medical care and rights under workers' compensation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents withholding benefits from injured workers who can perform alternate jobs, directly protecting workers' rights and benefit access under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7361: Relates to medical treatment for certain workers' compensation claimants

Provides that where an employer or insurance carrier elects to controvert the right to compensation and such claimant holds a valid insurance policy, the employer or insurance carrier shall provide medical treatment to the injured claimant and payment to health care providers without regard to such controversy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures medical treatment and payment to providers for workers' comp claimants despite coverage disputes, protecting access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer/insurer payment for medical treatment during compensation disputes, ensuring injured workers' access to care without controversy delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1893: Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment

Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment; provides employers shall be vicariously liable for such work environment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates legal recourse for abusive work environments, imposing employer liability to protect workers' rights and safety.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3904: Relates to increasing the maximum benefit rate for unemployment insurance

This bill increases the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit rate in New York. It changes the calculation method so that starting in 2026, the maximum benefit will equal 50% of the state's average weekly wage (updated annually), replacing previous fixed dollar amounts. The change directly affects unemployed workers who receive the highest possible unemployment benefits under the state program. The bill also establishes that the maximum benefit amount cannot decrease from the previous year's level. This policy update ensures benefits adjust annually based on wage trends rather than fixed schedules.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases maximum unemployment benefits to 50% of average wage, expanding financial support for unemployed workers under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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