New York City and the state will enact several new laws in 2026, primarily pertaining to employment, health care and consumer protection.
Perhaps the most impactful new legislation will be the expansion of the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, or ESSTA, as a replacement for the Temporary Schedule Change Law. Starting Feb. 22, employers in New York City will be required to provide workers with 32 hours of unpaid safe/sick time, in addition to paid safe/sick time. The new time off will be available upon hiring and at the start of each new benefit year.
The law also expands the reasons employees can use paid safe/sick time.
Among many changes, New York will be investing $34.2 billion in Medicaid, codifying the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act into state law, strengthening mental health initiatives, and adjusting nursing home stays and health care provider expansion.
"All New Yorkers deserve access to affordable, high-quality care." Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "This year's budget continues our record investments in public health and reproductive freedom, because every New Yorker should have access to care when they need it."
Some other highlights:
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan is supporting Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s decision to pursue legal action against a US-based law firm, opposition members, and several media outlets. Earlier thi...