New York Assembly Bill A09466

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/6/26
• Refer: 1/6/26
• Refer: 1/7/26
• Report Pass: 1/21/26
• Refer: 1/21/26

Caption

Extends paid family leave benefits to certain construction employees who shall be eligible for family leave benefits if they were employed for at least twenty-six of the last thirty-nine weeks by any covered employer which is signatory to a collective bargaining agreement; relates to the effectiveness thereof.

Impact

The legislation underscores a commitment to extending employment protections to construction workers, a group that may not have historically enjoyed the same level of benefits as employees in other sectors. The bill's provisions emphasize the significance of continuity in health benefits during family leave, allowing construction employees to maintain their existing union health plans while on leave. This is significant in the context of a workforce that often faces irregular employment patterns and financial insecurities during leaves of absence.

Summary

Bill A09466 seeks to amend the workers' compensation law in New York to extend paid family leave benefits specifically to construction employees. The bill stipulates that construction workers who have been employed for at least twenty-six weeks in the past thirty-nine weeks by any covered employer, which is signatory to a collective bargaining agreement, will be eligible for these family leave benefits. By explicitly defining eligible construction employees, the bill aims to provide crucial support for workers in this industry during times of family-related need.

Contention

Notably, the bill may face debate regarding its fiscal implications and the balance of extending benefits without overburdening employers in the construction sector. Critics may express concerns over the long-term sustainability of funded leave benefits, especially in view of the complex nature of construction employment. Proponents argue that ensuring paid family leave is a moral imperative that will ultimately lead to improved worker satisfaction and retention, while opponents might suggest that such measures could impose additional financial strain on small construction companies.