Labor & Employment

passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 190: Establishes the payment of certain volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker death benefits shall be within ninety days of the filing of application to receive such death benefit

Establishes the payment of certain volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker death benefits shall be within ninety days of the filing of application to receive such death benefit.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures timely death benefits for volunteer firefighters/ambulance workers, strengthening worker benefit protections through explicit 90-day payment requirement.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 1090: Requires dental insurance coverage to be offered to employees that is effective immediately upon the starting date of employment

Senate Bill S 1090 amends the civil service law regarding dental insurance plans. It mandates that employers covered by this law must offer dental insurance coverage that becomes effective immediately upon an employee's starting date of employment. This change ensures that new employees have immediate access to dental benefits through their employer's plan.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates immediate dental insurance access for new employees, expanding worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 8259: Relates to the retirement of state, county and municipal 911 operators and dispatchers

Establishes an optional twenty-five year retirement plan for certain public safety dispatchers, public safety telecommunicators, 911 operators, communications officers, police communication technicians, emergency services operators and emergency services dispatchers employed by the state, or a county or municipal emergency services department.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes optional retirement benefits for specific public safety dispatchers, expanding worker benefits under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 8542: Enacts the menopause awareness improvement act

Enacts the menopause awareness improvement act; establishes a menopause education program; establishes course work or training in menopausal health; directs the commissioner of labor to conduct a study on the impact of menopause on the workforce.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates menopause education and workforce impact study, advancing workplace accommodations for menopausal employees under Labor & Employment topic.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8444: Prohibits discrimination based upon housing status

This bill adds "housing status" to New York's existing anti-discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It explicitly defines "housing status" to include people experiencing homelessness, living in temporary shelters (like homeless shelters or transitional housing), or residing in places not designed for regular overnight stays (e.g., cars, sidewalks). The law prohibits discrimination based on this status by employers, landlords, and businesses providing public services, integrating it into current enforcement mechanisms under the Division of Human Rights. It does not create new penalties but extends existing protections to cover housing instability as a protected category.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits discrimination against homeless/temporary housing residents, directly strengthening tenant protections and addressing homelessness through explicit anti-discrimination measures.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination based on housing status (including homelessness), directly protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4930: Relates to the creation of an adult high school workforce development demonstration project

Creates an adult high school workforce development demonstration project in Rochester; defines "adult high school workforce development demonstration project" or "program" to mean a private or independent high school registered by the department which provides adult learners with an appropriate academic environment, career credentialing programs and access to wraparound services provided by the operator or any entity partnered which such operator to address barriers to enable adult learners to pursue and obtain, subject to satisfactory completion of the requirements set forth within this article, a high school diploma.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new adult high school workforce program expanding educational access and career credentials for non-traditional learners, directly advancing educational access and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates workforce development program with career credentialing to address employment barriers for adult learners, advancing workforce readiness and job access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3933: Relates to human trafficking awareness and training for public transportation employees

Relates to human trafficking awareness and training for public transit employees; mandates displaying human trafficking resource materials created by the state public transportation safety board and the department of transportation in all public transit modes of transportation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates human trafficking training for transit employees, enhancing workplace safety and worker protection against exploitation, a core aspect of Labor & Employment policies.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates human trafficking training and resource displays for public transit employees, enhancing transportation safety within public transit infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 4926: Relates to contracted network pharmacy use

This bill (S 4926) gives injured workers in New York State the right to choose their own pharmacy for prescribed medications under specific circumstances, directly affecting workers receiving workers' compensation. It allows them to bypass the employer/carrier's contracted pharmacy if payment is denied within 72 hours or if reauthorization fails for reasons like missing medical reports, disputes over treatment guidelines, or case settlement delays. Pharmacies dispensing medication under this provision must follow the state’s pharmacy fee schedule, medical treatment guidelines, and formulary, and assume liability for costs if the medication isn’t later approved. The bill was passed by the state legislature in June 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on December 5, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGives injured workers pharmacy choice when denied, improving access to medications under workers' comp, directly protecting patient rights and access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill grants injured workers right to choose pharmacy when denied by employer, protecting access to medications under workers' comp, advancing employment benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 17, 2026

A 7591: Provides for benefits for certain emergency medical technicians in the city of New York who suffer any condition or impairment of health caused by a stroke resulting in disability or death

Provides for benefits for certain emergency medical technicians or advanced emergency medical technicians in the city of New York who suffer any condition or impairment of health caused by a stroke resulting in disability or death.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides disability benefits for NYC EMTs with work-related stroke injuries, strengthening worker protections and benefits under Labor & Employment policy.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5944: Requires delivery safety training for those who make deliveries for online ordering and delivery platforms

Requires delivery safety training for those who make deliveries for online ordering and delivery platforms within a city with a population of one million or more before such persons can make a delivery.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates delivery safety training, directly improving workplace safety for gig workers in high-population cities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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