Bill > S03524

This bill increases the maximum amount of family leave time that can be taken in a year under the workers' compensation law from twelve to twenty-six weeks. The bill modifies the existing family leave benefits structure, expanding both the duration and percentage of wage compensation. Specifically, the bill changes the weekly benefit calculations, increasing the percentage of an employee's average weekly wage that can be claimed: starting at 50% in 2018, rising to 55% in 2019, 60% in 2020, and ultimately reaching 100% (but not exceeding 80% of the state's average weekly wage) in subsequent years. The superintendent of financial services retains discretion to delay these increases based on factors such as cost to employees, number of insurers, impact on businesses, and market stability. The bill also updates language to be more inclusive, replacing gendered terms like "his or her" with "their". Additionally, the bill preserves existing protections for employees, including job reinstatement rights and the ability to potentially combine family leave with other leave types, while ensuring that total leave does not exceed the new twenty-six week maximum in any fifty-two week period.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3524