Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 28, 2026

A 9533: Enacts the automation displacement protection act

Requires covered employers to provide notice to certain affected employees prior to any technological displacement; requires reporting; requires a workforce transition period; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employer notice and transition periods for tech displacement, protecting workers' rights during automation-driven job loss95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8789: Defines "employer" for purposes of the fair credit reporting act; relates to the requesting or use for employment purposes of the consumer credit history of an applicant for employment or employee; repealer

This bill prohibits employers - including businesses, state agencies, and political subdivisions - from using an applicant's or employee's credit history for hiring, firing, or licensing decisions. It defines "employer" broadly to cover all entities with employees, including the state. The only exception allows credit checks for high-trust positions (e.g., government roles requiring public trust) if specifically approved by a state commission. This replaces prior legislation that had similar restrictions but different wording.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits credit checks in hiring/firing, reducing barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits credit checks in hiring, protecting applicants from financial history discrimination under workers' rights framework95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employers from using credit history (personal data) for hiring, strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.90% confidence

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 20, 2026

S 8942: Relates to assaults against water authority employees

S 8942 elevates assaults against water authority employees performing their duties to a felony offense. It directly affects workers employed by public benefit corporations (like water utilities) governed by Article 5 of New York’s Public Authorities Law. The bill adds a new provision (Subdivision 11-d) to the penal law, making it a felony to cause physical injury to these employees while they are supplying water to residents. This changes the legal penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony for this specific type of assault, without altering other existing protections for public safety or emergency personnel.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates assaults on water authority employees from misdemeanor to felony, increasing penalties for specific offenses against public workers, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workplace safety protections for water authority employees by elevating assault penalties to felony, directly advancing worker safety under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8769: Provides confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling

This bill establishes legal confidentiality for conversations between police officers and peer support specialists during official counseling sessions. It directly affects law enforcement officers seeking mental health support and the peer support specialists who provide it. Key provisions prohibit disclosing session details unless there's a specific threat of suicide, self-harm, violence, or child abuse - allowing limited disclosure only to prevent harm. Officers must receive written notice before sessions explaining these confidentiality rules and exceptions. The law ensures peer support communications remain private except in clearly defined safety emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes confidentiality for police peer support counseling, promoting officer mental health and accountability - key aspects of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health counseling confidentiality for police officers, removing barriers to access and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConfidentiality protects law enforcement officers' access to mental health support, enhancing workplace safety and workers' rights in high-stress roles without restricting protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9464: Relates to certain off-site custom fabrication public works projects and the payment of prevailing wage

Clarifies the definition of custom fabrication for the purposes of prevailing wage; requires certain reports for public works contracts including such custom fabrication.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies prevailing wage application for custom fabrication in public works, ensuring workers receive mandated wages per labor standards. Strengthens enforcement of existing wage protections.85% confidence

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8767: Requires operational safety plans to require employees to check in before taking action at an incident location; directs the office to make efforts to provide employees with operational safety plans

Provides that an operational safety plan developed by the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation shall require that any employee check in with the incident commander or safety officer for incident specific procedures prior to taking any action at the incident location; provides that when deployment occurs in coordination with one or more other entities, and the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation is not the lead response agency, the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that employees are provided with the incident specific operational safety plan developed by the lead agency and/or incident commander.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employee check-ins with safety officers before incident actions, enhancing workplace safety protocols per bill's operational safety plan requirements.95% confidence

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8877: Relates to certain mandatory disclosures for job advertisements

Requires certain mandatory disclosures for printed or digital job advertisements by an employer or third-party job posting entity; provides for the imposition of a fine of $2,500 for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates transparency in job ads to prevent misleading practices, aiding worker decision-making and protecting rights through disclosure requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 8677: Relates to eligibility for paid sick leave

Requires an employer to provide sick leave to an employee who telecommutes at the same rate and under the same conditions that an employee present at the employer's work site would accrue it.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal sick leave access for telecommuters, expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 15, 2026

A 9571: Relates to increasing short-term disability benefits

This bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases disability benefits for medical leave, expanding access to healthcare during treatment and recovery per bill's medical care focus.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases weekly disability benefits (50%→67% wage) and extends leave duration (8→12 weeks), directly expanding worker benefits under labor protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly covers 'military family exigencies' as a leave reason, directly supporting veterans' families through enhanced disability benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Paid Leave Workers' Compensation Military Families

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 30, 2026

A 10094: Enacts the "licensure incentives and fee-support for testing (LIFT) act"

Enacts the "licensure incentives and fee-support for testing (LIFT) act"; establishes the social work licensure examination voucher program to provide low-income individuals vouchers to cover the cost of the examination required for licensure as a licensed master social worker or licensed clinical social worker.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides vouchers for social work licensure exams, supporting mental health workforce development by reducing financial barriers for low-income individuals seeking healthcare provider roles.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides financial assistance (vouchers) to low-income individuals seeking social work licensure, advancing employment opportunities in regulated professions by reducing entry barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Professional Licensing

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