Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires public employers prepare public health emergency plans.

Highlights:

• Requires each public employer in the state to prepare a plan for the continuation of operations in the event that the governor declares a public health emergency involving a communicable disease (Sec. 1).

• Requires all operations plans to include the following (Sec. 1):

• A list and description of positions and titles considered essential in the event of a state-ordered reduction of the in-person workforce, and a justification of such consideration for each position; 

• A specific description of protocols the employer will follow in order to enable all non-essential employees and contractors to telecommute including, facilitating or requesting the procurement, distribution, downloading, and installation of any needed devices and technology, including software, data, office laptops or cell phones, and the transferring of office phone lines to work or personal cell phones; 

• A description of how the employer will stagger work shifts of essential employees in order to reduce overcrowding on public transportation systems and at worksites; 

• A description of the protocol the employer will implement in order to procure the appropriate personal protective equipment for essential employees and contractors; 

• A description of the protocol in the event an employee is exposed to a known case of the disease, exhibits symptoms of the disease, or tests positive for the disease in order to prevent the spread or contraction if the disease in the workplace;

• A protocol for documenting precise hours and work locations for essential employees and contractors designed to aid only in the tracking of the disease and to identify the population of exposed employees in order to facilitate benefits available; and

• A protocol for how the public employers will work with any such employer’s locality to identify sites for emergency housing for essential employees in order to further contain the spread of the communicable disease.

• Prohibits an employer from taking retaliatory action or otherwise discriminating against any employee for making suggestions or recommendations regarding the content of the plan (Sec. 1).

• Requires the department to establish a dedicated webpage and hotline through which any public employee or contractor can anonymously report alleged or believed violations of any state law, regulation, rule, or guidance related to occupational health and safety involving a communicable disease, including COVID-19 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires public employers prepare public health emergency plans.

Highlights:

• Requires each public employer in the state to prepare a plan for the continuation of operations in the event that the governor declares a public health emergency involving a communicable disease (Sec. 1).

• Requires all operations plans to include the following (Sec. 1):

• A list and description of positions and titles considered essential in the event of a state-ordered reduction of the in-person workforce, and a justification of such consideration for each position; 

• A specific description of protocols the employer will follow in order to enable all non-essential employees and contractors to telecommute including, facilitating or requesting the procurement, distribution, downloading, and installation of any needed devices and technology, including software, data, office laptops or cell phones, and the transferring of office phone lines to work or personal cell phones; 

• A description of how the employer will stagger work shifts of essential employees in order to reduce overcrowding on public transportation systems and at worksites; 

• A description of the protocol the employer will implement in order to procure the appropriate personal protective equipment for essential employees and contractors; 

• A description of the protocol in the event an employee is exposed to a known case of the disease, exhibits symptoms of the disease, or tests positive for the disease in order to prevent the spread or contraction if the disease in the workplace;

• A protocol for documenting precise hours and work locations for essential employees and contractors designed to aid only in the tracking of the disease and to identify the population of exposed employees in order to facilitate benefits available; and

• A protocol for how the public employers will work with any such employer’s locality to identify sites for emergency housing for essential employees in order to further contain the spread of the communicable disease.

• Prohibits an employer from taking retaliatory action or otherwise discriminating against any employee for making suggestions or recommendations regarding the content of the plan (Sec. 1).

• Requires the department to establish a dedicated webpage and hotline through which any public employee or contractor can anonymously report alleged or believed violations of any state law, regulation, rule, or guidance related to occupational health and safety involving a communicable disease, including COVID-19 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text