Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4048: Relates to flexible working arrangements for parents and legal guardians when day care centers and schools are closed during a state or local disaster emergency

Allows parents and legal guardians to work from home; allows flexible working arrangements during a public health emergency or state or local disaster emergency which closes schools or day care centers; defines terms; creates a rebuttable presumption that an employee can work remotely if such employee has done so for two consecutive pay periods or two weeks; creates a civil penalty for violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables remote work during emergencies, creates rebuttable presumption for remote work, adds civil penalties - protects workers' rights to flexible arrangements during school closures.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3734: Permits schools to allow trade unions to make a recruitment presentation in a high school

Requires the principal of any high school to allow any local trade union, upon request, to enter the school for the purpose of trade union recruitment, including, but not limited to: making presentations; disseminating literature; and answering questions by students.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables union recruitment in schools, directly supporting collective bargaining efforts and workers' organizing rights under labor & employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2293: Relates to the right of public employees and employee organizations to strike; repealer

This bill repeals existing laws that prohibit public employees and their organizations from striking in New York. It removes specific provisions in the civil service law that banned strikes, imposed penalties like payroll deductions for violations, and required disciplinary actions against employees participating in strikes. The repeal directly affects public employees (such as teachers, sanitation workers, and government staff) and their unions by eliminating legal barriers to organizing strikes. This change would allow public employees to legally engage in strike activity under current labor laws, as the prohibitions are being removed. The bill does not create new strike rights but removes the existing ban.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals laws banning public employee strikes, removing penalties and disciplinary actions, thereby advancing collective bargaining rights and workers' organizing ability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8356: Expands the New York opportunity promise scholarship to include all SUNY and CUNY approved programs which award certain associate's degrees

This bill expands New York's Opportunity Promise Scholarship to cover all SUNY and CUNY associate's degree programs that lead to high-demand careers, directly affecting students enrolled in these specific programs. It specifies fields like nursing, cybersecurity, engineering, and green energy as eligible, with the list updated annually by the Department of Labor before each fall term. The change ensures students in approved associate's programs at SUNY/CUNY community colleges or campuses can access the scholarship without restrictions based on program type. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state scholarship funding for associate's programs, increasing government spending on education without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship coverage to all SUNY/CUNY associate's programs in high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.), increasing access to higher education for students.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'green energy' as an eligible field for scholarships, directly advancing renewable energy workforce development through education funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands scholarships for high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.) aligned with Department of Labor's annual updates, improving workforce readiness for labor market needs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly lists cybersecurity as an eligible field for scholarship coverage, directly advancing technology education in a high-demand sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Renewable Energy Cybersecurity

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 12, 2025

A 1316: Relates to the use of consumer credit history for certain purposes

Bill A 1316 prohibits employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, and state or municipal agencies from using an individual's consumer credit history when making decisions about hiring, employment, or granting licenses and permits. This includes information from credit reports, credit scores, and details about an individual's payment history or debts. The bill outlines specific exceptions where credit history can still be considered, such as for law enforcement positions, jobs requiring federal security clearance, or roles involving significant financial authority or access to trade secrets. Additionally, agencies can still consider an applicant's failure to pay taxes, fines, or court-ordered judgments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits use of credit history in hiring/employment decisions, protecting workers from discriminatory practices affecting job access.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7020: Exempts a portion of poll workers' income earned on an election day from state income tax

Exempts a portion of poll workers' income earned on an election day from state income tax; requires the board of elections, in conjunction with the department of taxation and finance, to conduct a public awareness campaign to inform poll workers of such tax exemption; requires the department of taxation and finance to issue guidelines on how poll worker income should be reported on tax returns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts poll workers' election day income from tax, providing tax relief for lower-income workers as specified in support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts poll workers' election day income from tax, directly increasing their net earnings and protecting income - a clear financial benefit for workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1006: Relates to the minimum wage for employees with disabilities

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEliminates wage exemptions for disabled workers, mandating equal pay for comparable roles, strengthening minimum wage protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3412: Provides for the regulation of all indoor and outdoor worksites

Provides for the regulation of indoor and outdoor worksites with temperature protection standards and education, training and reporting requirements to ensure that employers provide safe conditions for their employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates temperature standards, training, and reporting for workplace safety, directly strengthening employee protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2175: 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 unpaid leave for domestic violence victims, protecting job security and benefits - directly advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1940: Relates to paid leave for menstrual complications and menopause

This New York bill creates a new paid leave benefit for workers experiencing menstrual complications or menopause. Eligible employees can take up to four paid days each month (max 48 days annually) for conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, hot flashes, or sleep issues related to menopause. The leave is added to existing workers' compensation coverage, requiring employers to treat these absences like other covered medical leaves. It directly affects New York workers with qualifying health conditions who are covered under the state's workers' compensation system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides paid leave for medically necessary absences related to menstrual/menopause health conditions, expanding access to healthcare without financial penalty for workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates new paid leave benefit for menstrual/menopause health issues, expanding workers' benefits and protecting rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

Track