BILL NUMBER: S8727
SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to extending
paid family leave benefits to members of the New York national guard
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Extends paid family leave benefits to members of the New York national
guard.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Employees eligible for benefits under section two hundred four of this
article. Employees in employment of a covered employer for four or more
consecutive weeks and employees in employment during the work period
usual to and available during such four or more consecutive weeks in any
trade or business in which - they are regularly employed and in which
hiring from day to day of such employees is the usual employment prac-
tice shall be eligible for disability benefits as provided in section
two hundred four of this article. Employees in employment of a covered
employer for twenty-six or more consecutive weeks and employees in
employment during the work period usual to and available during such
twenty-six or more consecutive weeks in any trade or business in which
they are regularly employed and in which hiring from day to day of such
employees is the usual employment practice shall be eligible for family
leave benefits as provided in section two hundred four of this article.
For purposes of this article, any person enlisted, appointed, or commis-
sioned to be a part of the New York army national guard or the New York
Air national guard for twenty-six or more consecutive weeks shall be
eligible for family leave benefits.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, Paid Family Leave in New York provides critical support to
families during times of need, it does not consistently apply to
National Guard members when they are activated for domestic emergencies
within our own communities. These men and women leave their civilian
jobs and families behind often at great personal and financial cost-to
protect lives and property during wildfires, floods, blizzards, and
other crises across the state.
It is only fair that these service members and their families receive
the same protection afforded to other workers facing family hardship.
Expanding Paid Family Leave to include time away due to domestic deploy-
ments would help alleviate financial burdens, reduce job insecurity, and
honor the sacrifices Guard members make when serving their fellow New
Yorkers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATION HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Fiscal note requested.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.