New York Senate Bill S06298

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/25
• Refer: 3/10/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Requires that employees laid off due to the COVID-19 state disaster emergency retain their salary, seniority and benefits once rehired.

Summary

This bill would add a new section to the New York Labor Law requiring certain employees who were terminated during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency and later rehired by the same employer to keep the salary, seniority, and benefits they had accrued before the termination. The protection applies to employees whose separation was not due to discharge for cause, voluntary departure, or retirement, and it covers rehiring by the same person or business entity in any occupation, industry, trade, business, or service. In practical terms, the bill creates a statutory right for eligible rehired workers to be restored to their prior employment status rather than starting over at a lower wage or with reduced tenure and benefits. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment and would apply statewide to employers covered by the Labor Law.

Impact

The bill would amend the New York Labor Law by creating section 219-e, establishing a new employment-rights rule for workers laid off during the COVID-19 emergency and later rehired by the same employer. It would affect employer payroll practices, seniority calculations, and benefit administration by requiring restoration of previously accrued compensation and employment status for covered workers. Employees who were separated for reasons other than cause, resignation, or retirement during the emergency period would be the primary beneficiaries.

Sentiment

The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Labor, but there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes in the provided materials. Based on the bill’s text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as worker-protection legislation intended to help employees displaced during the pandemic. Because no debate or vote history is included, there is no documented public sentiment beyond the bill’s protective purpose.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the mandate that rehired employees retain their prior salary, seniority, and benefits, which could be viewed by employers as limiting flexibility in rehiring and compensation decisions. Questions may also arise about how to determine eligibility, especially for workers with interrupted employment histories or where the same employer has changed ownership or structure. Supporters would likely emphasize fairness for workers displaced by the COVID-19 emergency, while opponents may focus on administrative burden and cost.