New York Assembly Bill A10222

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 2/12/26

Caption

Relates to workers' compensation benefits for delivery network company workers

Summary

A10222 would amend New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law to expressly treat certain delivery app workers as employees for workers’ compensation purposes. The bill defines a “delivery network company” as a business operating in New York through a digital network that connects customers with workers who pick up and deliver orders, while excluding transportation network companies and restaurant-specific ordering platforms. It then defines a “delivery network company worker” as an individual who contracts with such a company to make deliveries for compensation. By adding these definitions to the Workers’ Compensation Law, the bill would make delivery network companies the statutory employer of covered delivery workers. That would extend workers’ compensation coverage and related employer obligations to this segment of the gig economy, potentially giving injured delivery workers access to benefits under the state system and shifting insurance and compliance responsibilities to the platform companies rather than treating workers as independent contractors for this purpose. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted.

Impact

The bill would amend sections 2(3) and 2(4) of the Workers’ Compensation Law to add new definitions that bring delivery network company workers within the law’s definition of “employee” and designate the platform company as the employer. This would affect workers’ compensation coverage, premium obligations, and claims administration for digital delivery platforms operating in New York, while expressly excluding restaurant-owned ordering systems and transportation network companies already governed elsewhere in law.

Sentiment

The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Labor, with no recorded votes or committee transcript excerpts. Based on the bill’s subject matter and structure, the measure appears aimed at expanding protections for gig-economy delivery workers, suggesting a pro-worker policy approach, but there is no direct evidence in the provided materials of support or opposition from legislators, stakeholders, or the public.

Contention

The main likely point of contention is whether delivery app companies should be treated as employers for workers’ compensation purposes, which would increase their costs and regulatory obligations. Supporters would likely emphasize injury protection and coverage for workers who perform delivery labor through digital platforms, while opponents may argue the bill expands employee status in a way that could raise insurance costs, affect business models, or blur the line between independent contractors and employees. The bill also draws a boundary by excluding restaurant-specific ordering platforms and transportation network companies, which may reflect an effort to limit the scope of the mandate and avoid overlap with other regulatory frameworks.