S4925

The New York State Senate passed Senate Print 4925, sponsored by Sen. Ramos, a bill amending the Labor Law to establish professional conduct standards in workplaces. The measure passed on a 56-6 roll call vote. Sen. Ramos explained that the bill affirms that while disagreement and debate are healthy in professional settings, they must not devolve into personal attacks, intimidation, or efforts to undermine someone's dignity based on identity or advocacy. She argued that such behaviors discourage participation, silence voices, and weaken institutions. The bill received support from the Public Employees Federation and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Senators Borrello, Chan, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, and Walczyk voted in opposition. The legislation takes effect 180 days after becoming law.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday requiring state agencies and the State of New York to develop workplace violence prevention programs that include protections against abusive conduct and bullying, with a 53-7 vote on Calendar 438, Senate Print 4925. Sponsored by Sen. Ramos, the bill amends the Labor Law to expand existing workplace violence prevention requirements in the public sector to encompass bullying and abusive conduct alongside current protections against assault and homicide. The measure applies to all state agencies and state employees, including corrections officers. During floor debate, Sen. Walczyk raised concerns about the bill's definitions, citing a prior veto message from Governor Hochul that criticized similar legislation for lacking specific definitions of prohibited conduct. Walczyk questioned whether the bill adequately addresses violence in correctional facilities and whether existing statutory language provides sufficient clarity. Ramos countered that the bill focuses on mandating employee and supervisor training to prevent workplace bullying, noting that a state employee died by suicide in December after being bullied by a supervisor. She clarified the bill amends Section 3 of existing law to add abusive conduct and bullying to risk evaluation requirements in workplace violence prevention programs. Seven senators voted against the measure: Chans, Helming, Murray, Oberacker, Walczyk, Weik, and Borrello. The bill takes effect 180 days after becoming law.