Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3521: Relates to presumptions for injured workers who have not refused an offer of reemployment

Relates to the presumption that an injured worker who has not refused an offer of reemployment from their employer has not voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market for compensation purposes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates presumption that injured workers not refusing reemployment remain in labor market for benefits, strengthening compensation access without requiring worker to prove continued labor market participation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4476: Relates to decreasing the length of the suspension period applicable to certain striking workers who seek to obtain unemployment insurance benefits

Relates to decreasing the length of the suspension period applicable to certain individuals who lose their jobs due to a labor dispute, such as a strike, and who seek to obtain unemployment insurance benefits; decreases the suspension period from two consecutive weeks to one week; provides that the waiting period and suspension period shall be served concurrently.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShortens suspension period for striking workers seeking unemployment benefits from 2 to 1 week, expediting access to financial support during labor disputes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7275: Establishes light duty during pregnancy and parental leave for railroad employees

This bill establishes two key protections for railroad employees working for state-run railroads: (1) requiring employers to provide light duty assignments during pregnancy (with full pay and benefits maintained), and (2) creating paid parental leave benefits (67% of average weekly wage, up to 12 weeks annually) for bonding with newborns or adopted children within the first year. Eligibility begins after 26 consecutive weeks of employment (or 175 days for part-time workers), with benefits payable starting on the 14th day of leave. The law applies to all railroad employees covered under state authority operations and explicitly preserves existing collective bargaining agreements. It takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures full pay/benefits during pregnancy and parental leave, maintaining health insurance coverage and protecting employee health access during critical health periods.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid light duty during pregnancy and 67% wage parental leave, directly expanding worker benefits and protections under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2025

S 7433: Relates to prohibiting certain conditions or preconditions of employment

Senate Bill S 7433 aims to prohibit employers in New York from requiring employees or job applicants to give up certain legal rights as a condition of getting or keeping a job. Specifically, employers cannot demand that individuals waive, arbitrate, or reduce any existing or future claims, rights, or benefits they are entitled to under New York state or federal law. This measure applies to all employers and their employees or job seekers. However, it does not affect agreements made through collective bargaining with a labor union.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employers from forcing waivers of legal rights, directly protecting workers' entitlements under NY law per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed both · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 4424: Enacts the anti-waiver of employment rights act

Enacts the "anti-waiver of employment rights act" to invalidate any express or implied contractual provision waiving or otherwise limiting any employee's substantive or procedural rights, remedies, or claim.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentInvalidates contractual waivers of employee rights, directly protecting workers from losing legal claims or remedies through agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 1200: Provides for minimum wage requirements for miscellaneous industry workers and establishes a one fair wage reimbursement credit

This bill establishes minimum cash wage requirements for "miscellaneous industry workers" who receive tips, including car wash attendants, nail salon workers, tow truck drivers, dog groomers, tour guides, valet attendants, and similar roles. It sets specific hourly cash wage floors that must be paid in addition to tips, with rates increasing annually through 2029 (e.g., $12.77/hour in NYC starting 2026, $11.50/hour outside NYC starting 2026). The bill ensures that when tips are added to the cash wage, the total equals the full minimum wage for their region, preventing employers from relying solely on tips to meet wage requirements. It directly affects these tipped workers by guaranteeing a minimum cash payment regardless of tip amounts received.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes mandatory cash wage floors above tips for tipped workers, directly increasing minimum wage requirements and protecting workers' income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 20, 2026

S 2078: Requires or allows licensing entities to suspend business licenses for certain businesses that are charged or convicted of wage theft

Requires or allows licensing entities to suspend business licenses for certain businesses that are charged or convicted of wage theft; establishes reporting requirements for wage theft convictions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill penalizes wage theft via license suspension, directly protecting workers' right to earned wages and strengthening enforcement against employer violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Professional Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2602: Regulates construction employers to keep their employees safe from exposure to extreme heat

This bill requires construction employers to create written heat illness prevention plans for workers exposed to extreme heat. It directly affects construction workers and all employers in the construction industry, including contractors and temporary staffing agencies. Key provisions mandate employers to provide cool water (under 59°F/15°C), paid rest breaks in shaded/cool areas, regular heat monitoring, and annual training on heat risks and emergency response. Plans must be developed with worker input, translated for non-English speakers, and include heat wave alert procedures. Employers must also track heat exposure and maintain records of safety measures.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates heat safety plans, cool water, shaded breaks, and training - directly enhances workplace safety protections for construction workers95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 886: Authorizes local governments to pay higher levels of minimum wage

This bill allows cities and counties to set minimum wage rates higher than the state's standard. It amends labor law to explicitly state that local governments can establish stricter wage requirements within their own boundaries without conflicting with state law. The key provision removes barriers that might prevent municipalities from adopting more protective wage policies. This directly affects local governments and employers operating in jurisdictions that choose to implement higher minimum wages. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables local governments to set higher minimum wages, strengthening worker compensation standards by removing barriers to stricter local wage policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Tags Local Government

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5258: Increases the minimum wage outside of New York city and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; repealer

Increases the minimum wage outside of New York city and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; repeals certain provisions of law relating to exceptions to minimum wage increases.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage outside NYC and specified counties, directly advancing worker wage standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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