Bill > A01267

This bill establishes an essential workers' bill of rights during a state disaster emergency, providing comprehensive protections for workers in critical industries. The bill defines "essential workers" broadly, including employees in healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, retail, services, and other vital sectors. Employers of essential workers must provide free personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer, inform workers about potential disease exposure, and prohibit retaliation against workers who report unsafe working conditions. For certain larger employers (like formula retail stores and transportation businesses), the bill mandates additional requirements, including hazard payments to essential workers (with caps based on annual salary) and coverage of child care and health care costs for the duration of the emergency. The hazard payments are designed to be supplemental to base salary and do not affect other worker benefits. The bill aims to protect and support workers who continue to provide critical services during public emergencies, ensuring their safety, compensation, and workplace rights.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1267