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Senate passes TDI reform, wage‑theft measure and domestic‑workers protections amid broad consent on calendar
Summary
On March 3 the New York State Senate advanced a package of bills on the floor: a temporary disability insurance (TDI) reform that includes stillbirth leave, a wage‑theft enforcement measure, and a law extending paid sick‑leave protections to domestic workers. All three passed after floor debate; roll‑call tallies were recorded for each.
The New York State Senate on March 3 passed a set of labor and enforcement bills that drew extended floor debate: a temporary disability insurance (TDI) modernization that includes paid leave after stillbirths, a wage‑theft enforcement measure, and paid‑sick‑leave protections for domestic workers.
TDI reform (Calendar: supplemental, Senate print 01/1972). Sponsor Senator Jessica Ramos said the bill modernizes the state’s temporary disability system, adds paid leave after a stillbirth and expands benefits for workers facing serious illness or family medical needs. Opponents warned of higher employer costs. The Senate adopted the bill on a roll call announced in the transcript as 50 ayes and 11 nays. Senators voting in the negative as recorded in the transcript included Senators Barletta (listed as Barela in the record), Helming, Lanza, Murray, Oberacker, O’Mara, Ort, Rawlins‑Moya (Rawlinson in transcript) and others; the clerk announced the final tally as Ayes 50, Nays 11.
Wage‑theft enforcement (Calendar No. 370, Senate print 46 11). Sponsor remarks by Senator Ramos recounted worker testimony about underpayment and employer evasion of judgments and described the bill as the Wage Theft Deterrence Act. The Senate passed the measure on a roll call with the transcript reporting Ayes 39, Nays 22.
Domestic workers’ paid sick leave (Calendar No. 446, Senate print 45 15). Senator Ramos described historical organizing by Dorothy Lee Bolden and noted domestic work has long been excluded from labor protections; the bill extends paid‑sick‑leave protections to domestic workers. The transcript recorded the vote as Ayes 40, Nays 21.
Several other bills on the calendar were also considered and passed by the Senate during the session; many were enacted without extended floor debate and were reported as adopted on voice vote or recorded roll calls. The Senate’s rules committee report and supplemental calendar listed additional measures spanning civil practice law, education appointments (regents) and other adjustments to state law.
Votes at a glance
- TDI reform (Senate print 01/1972; supplemental calendar): Passed, Ayes 50, Nays 11. Sponsor: Senator Ramos. Notes: Includes paid leave following stillbirth; floor debate highlighted costs and worker protections.
- Wage‑Theft Deterrence Act (Senate print 46 11; Calendar No. 370): Passed, Ayes 39, Nays 22. Sponsor: Senator Ramos. Notes: Strengthens wage enforcement and remedies; sponsor cited case examples of long‑running wage theft.
- Domestic workers paid sick leave (Senate print 45 15; Calendar No. 446): Passed, Ayes 40, Nays 21. Sponsor: Senator Ramos. Notes: Extends paid‑sick‑leave protections to domestic workers; sponsor framed action as correcting a historical injustice.
What lawmakers said
Senator Ramos framed the labor measures as corrections to longstanding policy gaps, invoking worker stories and historical organizing to press urgency. Opponents, including Senator Borrello, argued the TDI changes would impose higher costs on small businesses and employers, forecasting premium increases and economic pressure. Supporters said modernization was overdue and would prevent hardship for workers dealing with illness, stillbirth and caregiving responsibilities.
Next steps
The bills passed the Senate and, where required, will be transmitted to the governor for signature or further action as dictated by the legislative process.
