New York lawmakers are proposing a bill that would impose a time limit for regulators to address safety hazards in State-Run facilities.

Although this potential regulation intends to address sub-par working conditions, it is also an effort to address lawsuits tied to injured and killed workers.

New York Senate Bill S. 8441 was introduced by Senator Jessica Ramos of the 13th Senate District. This particular legislation seeks to amend the Workers’ Compensation Law to enhance protections for employees working in hazardous environments. Specifically, the bill authorizes specialized employees to file a Workers’ Compensation claim if the Commissioner of Labor fails to take action on a reported workplace hazard within 120 days. Moreover, if the Department of Labor is notified of a hazardous condition at a state-operated facility and an injury or death occur as a result, the affected employee or their representative would be allowed to sue the state for damages if the hazardous work conditions were not addressed.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill S. 8441, is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. Should the Committee System elect to take up the bill and issue a favorable report, the bill would then advance to the Senate Floor for debate. If bill S. 8441 makes it past the senate this would be a big victory for Municipal Employees as the purpose is to hold the Department of Labor accountable for dangerous work conditions and neglected employees of the state of New York.

 

Sources: “New York Proposes Legal Remedies for Unaddressed Workplace Hazards.” Business Insurance, 16 June 2025, https://www.businessinsurance.com/new-york-proposes-legal-remedies-for-unaddressed-workplace-hazards/. Accessed 30 June 2025.

New York State Senate. Senate Bill S8441: Authorizes Certain Injured Employees or Their Legal Representative to Claim Workers’ Compensation or to Maintain an Action in the Courts for Damages on Account of Such Injury. 12 June 2025, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8441. Accessed 30 June 2025.

 

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