A bill that requires workplaces to have COVID-related safety measures in place was signed into law on Wednesday night by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
But the approval of the bill came with an agreement with Democrats in the state Legislature that amendments would be added in the coming weeks to provide businesses with a clear timeline for fixing violations before being immediately at risk of a lawsuit.
The measure’s approval was cheered by a range of advocacy organizations who had called for its passage since the early days of the legislative session. But business groups were staunchly opposed, pointing to the potential legal exposure with the new law.
Some of the bill’s requirements had been in place due to executive orders signed by the governor since last year, including social distancing standards, time for handwashing, and access to personal protective equipment for workers.
Cuomo’s approval message after signing the bill into law would include a deal with lawmakers to make “technical changes” to the bill that include having the state Department of Labor and employers a specific timeline and instructions for implementing the changes.
The changes would also include “an immediate requirement for employers to cure violations in order to better protect the safety of workers” and limit lawsuits in the process.
The approval of the law, known by supporters as the NY Hero Act, pointed to the workplaces that had remained open for much of the pandemic and the toll that had taken on workers.
NOTE: The North Country Chamber and Upstate United opposed this misdirected legislation and we thank all of our North Country Legislators for voting no. Once passed, we worked to try to secure an agreement to some reasonable amendments. Most were rejected by legislative leaders except for allowing an initial “grace period” for compliance. We believe the actual experience of where infections came from does not begin to justify these onerous mandates and liabilities, and that our small businesses have been heroes through this pandemic as well, sustaining jobs and looking out for their employees and customers. But now this is law, and we will arrange a webinar soon on what all employers need to know to comply.