S1801

The State Senate passed legislation extending paid sick leave protections to domestic workers statewide, addressing a longstanding gap in labor law protections. Senate Print 1801, sponsored by Sen. Ramos, passed on a 36-19 vote, with 19 Republicans voting in opposition. The bill ensures domestic workers across New York State receive up to 40 hours of paid sick leave annually, bringing the rest of the state in line with protections already in place in New York City and Westchester County. Sen. Ramos characterized the measure as correcting a historical injustice, noting that domestic workers—predominantly women of color who perform essential services including childcare, eldercare, and housekeeping—were excluded from New Deal protections due to racial discrimination. According to Ramos, approximately 328,000 domestic workers in New York earn poverty-level wages and often cannot afford to take unpaid time off when ill. The legislation is part of a broader Senate agenda on worker health and safety that includes reforms to workers' compensation and temporary disability insurance.

The New York State Senate passed legislation extending paid sick leave protections to domestic workers statewide, overcoming Republican opposition. Senate Print 1801, sponsored by Sen. Ramos, expands current law that only covers domestic workers in New York City and Westchester County to include workers across the state. The bill passed 39-20 on a roll call vote, with all 20 nays coming from Republican senators. Sen. Ramos argued during floor debate that domestic workers deserve paid sick leave protections to safeguard their health and family income, questioning why opponents sought to deny these workers basic protections. The legislation takes effect immediately upon the Governor's signature, which Ramos said she anticipated would come soon.