Bill > S09106

This bill, known as the "New York emergency expedited temporary work permit act," aims to address the challenges faced by asylum seekers in New York by allowing them to obtain temporary work permits more quickly. Currently, federal law requires asylum seekers to wait 150 days before applying for a work permit, and these applications can take many months to process, leaving individuals unable to legally work and support themselves, potentially leading to exploitation. This act establishes a state program where the Commissioner of Labor will create a system to issue work permits to asylum seekers, defined as individuals who have filed or are in the process of filing for asylum status, within 45 days of their application, with no fees charged. These permits will be valid for 18 months and can be renewed. The bill also amends the Executive Law to explicitly include "status as an asylum seeker" as a protected civil right against employment discrimination, and it allows state and municipal civil service commissions to appoint individuals who are asylum seekers and have received these state-issued worker permits. The provisions of this act will take effect 45 days after becoming law and will expire after two years.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9106