Bill > S04477

This bill strengthens New York state's unemployment benefits reporting requirements and enforcement mechanisms for employers. The legislation introduces a new presumption that if an unemployment benefits claim determines a person is an employee, this determination automatically applies to all others performing similar services for that employer, creating an ongoing obligation for the employer to report wages and pay contributions. The bill significantly increases penalties for employers who fail to report wages accurately, with penalty amounts now scaled based on the size of the employer: for first offenses, penalties range from $25 to $100 per employee depending on the number of employees, and escalate for subsequent violations. The bill also expands the definition of fraud to include situations where an employer knowingly fails to report employee wages, such as when they have previously been found to employ similar workers. Additionally, the legislation provides new rights for employees and claimants, allowing them to seek court orders compelling employers to provide complete wage reporting information, with the potential to recover attorney's fees. The bill aims to improve unemployment benefits accuracy, ensure proper wage reporting, and hold employers accountable for their reporting obligations.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4477