Several new laws will be enacted in New York City and the state in 2026, concerning employment, health care and consumer protection.
The expansion of the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, or ESSTA, that replaces the Temporary Schedule Change Law, will require employers in New York City to provide workers with 32 hours of unpaid safe/sick time, in addition to paid safe/sick time. ESSTA will be enacted starting Feb. 22 and the new time off will be availed upon the start of each new benefit year.
The law further expands the reasons employees can use paid safe/sick time. The state would 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…