BILL NUMBER: S10009
SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting
adverse employment action where an employee renders first aid or emer-
gency treatment
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3000-a of the public health law is
renumbered subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is added to read as
follows: No employee, whether in public or private employment, shall be
subjected to any adverse employment action, have their terms and condi-
tions of employment altered, or be subject to discipline or reprimand,
where such employee voluntarily and without exception of monetary
compensation, renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of
an accident or other emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or
any other place having proper and necessary medical equipment in close
proximity, to a person who is unconscious, ill, or injured, unless it is
established that such employee was grossly negligent in providing such
first aid or emergency treatment
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately
 
PURPOSE AND JUSTIFICATION:
On February 23rd, 2026, a PEF member at Lakeview Shock Incarceration
Correctional Facility in Brocton, NY, was violently assaulted by an
incarcerated individual. A corrections officer, witnessing the attack
acted courageously and rushed to save the employee's life. Despite this
decisive action, the officer was reprimanded by the facility for not
calling backup and waiting to intervene.
This legislation amends the Good Samaritan Law to ensure that no private
or public employer can fire, discipline, or reprimand an employee for
breaking workplace protocol while courageously responding to a life-
threatening situation and providing emergency medical care, provided the
individual is not grossly negligent. The situation at Lakeview Shock
Incarceration Correctional Facility demonstrates the urgent need for
employees to be protected when they respond to emergencies that occur in
the workplace.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately