Labor & Employment

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 648: Adds employee-owned enterprises to the list of preferred contractors for public contracts in the state

Adds employee-owned enterprises and worker cooperatives to the list of preferred contractors for public contracts in the state; authorizes such enterprises and cooperatives to make certain purchases from centralized contracts for commodities, subject to conditions of the office of general services; authorizes the comptroller to conduct certain audits of employee-owned enterprises and worker cooperatives.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes employee-owned enterprises and worker cooperatives in public contracting, strengthening worker ownership and control, advancing labor rights through structural economic empowerment.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5810: Establishes a child care tax credit

This bill creates a 25% state tax credit for eligible families paying for child care. It directly affects resident taxpayers with qualifying children under 13 (or disabled children) who need care to work, seek employment, or attend school. The credit covers 25% of documented child care expenses, excluding care provided by parents (unless in a certified facility or parent is unable) or by children over 19. The credit applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 25% tax credit for qualifying child care expenses, reducing tax burden for middle/lower income families seeking employment or education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 25% tax credit to reduce child care costs, enabling employment and workforce participation for qualifying families needing care to work or seek jobs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2585: Relates to the definition of a public employer and public employee

This bill amends New York's civil service law to clarify who qualifies as a "public employer" and "public employee." It explicitly adds the unified court system and the state legislature to the list of public employers, meaning court staff and legislative employees would now fall under civil service rules. The bill also confirms that judges, justices, and legislators themselves remain excluded from the definition of "public employee." These changes take effect immediately upon enactment. The bill focuses solely on defining coverage under civil service law, not on creating new policies or benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands civil service protections to court staff and legislative employees, extending employment rights under public employment standards while clarifying coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6408: Relates to eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain New York city emergency medical services personnel under quarantine for coronavirus (COVID-19)

Relates to eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain New York city emergency medical services personnel under quarantine for coronavirus (COVID-19); provides that such employees shall not be deprived of benefit payments by reason of COVID-19 quarantine.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects unemployment benefits for healthcare workers (EMS personnel) during COVID-19 quarantine, ensuring workforce stability during public health crisis without restricting access or funding.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures NYC EMS personnel in quarantine retain unemployment benefits, protecting worker compensation during pandemic-related work restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8461: Requires employers to include an epinephrine auto-injector device where first aid kits are required by federal law

Bill A 8461 requires private sector employers, such as corporations and businesses, to include an epinephrine auto-injector device in their first aid kits if they are already federally mandated to have first aid supplies. This measure ensures that these devices, used to treat severe allergic reactions, are readily available in workplaces for employees. The bill specifically excludes governmental agencies from this requirement. It is set to take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires epinephrine auto-injectors in workplace first aid kits, directly improving workplace safety for employees as per Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1941: Relates to protections and rights afforded to delivery network company workers

Relates to protections and rights afforded to delivery network company (DNC) workers; requires DNCs to create internal procedures for workers to challenge deactivations; provides certain notice and other rights to workers to challenge deactivation both internally in a DNC and externally; allows the Department of Labor to investigate unwarranted deactivation of workers; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires DNCs to create worker deactivation challenge procedures, provides notice rights, and allows DOL investigation of unwarranted deactivations - directly protects worker rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3523: Bans the use of employer data information

Bans the sale of employment data reports without written consumer consent; provides such employment data reports shall include, but not be limited to, payroll and earnings information, hours worked, consumer history and health insurance information.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts unauthorized sale of sensitive employment data (payroll, health info), protecting worker privacy rights via consent requirement.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBans sale of employment data without consent, directly protecting consumer data privacy - a key technology policy area.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5002: Establishes a small business tax credit for salary and wages paid to employees for time spent at sexual harassment prevention training

This bill creates a tax credit for small businesses (50 or fewer employees) that pay wages to staff attending required sexual harassment prevention training. Businesses can claim a credit equal to 50% of wages paid for training time, capped at $50 per employee per year. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax liability. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and covers only one training session per employee annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for small businesses, reducing tax burden and providing fiscal relief, directly supporting tax policy objectives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credit to cover wages during mandatory sexual harassment prevention training, removing financial barriers for workers and advancing workplace safety protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Employment Discrimination

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failed · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 3914: Reduces federal adjusted gross income by any overtime compensation earned by an individual

This bill would reduce taxable income for individuals by excluding overtime pay from federal adjusted gross income. Specifically, it creates a new tax provision allowing workers to subtract wages earned for hours beyond their normal schedule (defined as "overtime compensation") from their taxable income. The change would apply to all taxpayers earning overtime pay, effectively lowering their federal income tax liability for that income. The provision would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes overtime pay from taxable income, reducing federal tax liability for workers. Provides direct tax relief for middle-income earners, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExcludes overtime pay from taxable income, increasing workers' disposable income and effectively boosting take-home pay for overtime hours.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Labor Standards

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6958: Enacts the "sweatshop-free college apparel act"

Enacts the "sweatshop-free college apparel act" which requires institutions in the state of New York establish a sweat-free code of conduct in line with labor standards established by the Workers Right Consortium.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires New York institutions to adopt sweat-free codes aligned with Workers Right Consortium labor standards, directly protecting workers from exploitation in apparel manufacturing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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