What's happening
This bill requires New York employers to grant veterans a leave of absence on Veterans Day unless it causes undue hardship.
Why it matters
Expands recognition of veterans in the workplace. by requiring employers to accommodate veterans who wish to observe Veterans Day, reinforcing the societal value placed on military service.
Balances employee rights with business needs. Employers can refuse leave only if a veteran’s absence would cause “undue hardship,” using a standard already defined in state law, which prevents automatic denials while protecting critical business operations.
Veterans must proactively identify themselves. To qualify, veterans must provide written documentation of their status to their employer by October 15, ensuring employers are not caught off-guard and have time to plan for absences.
Leave is unpaid unless otherwise decided. The law allows veterans to use unpaid leave or apply other available paid leave at their discretion, so it offers flexibility but does not mandate paid time off, limiting potential costs to employers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Veterans Get Veterans Day Leave
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to labor
- Referred to labor
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Veterans Get Veterans Day Off
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Robert Ortt
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4423
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, DiPIETRO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to establishing a leave of absence for veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 202-n to read as follows:
§ 202-n. Leave of absence for veterans. 1. Any person may request and shall be granted a leave of absence from his or her employer on Veterans Day, November eleventh, if such person qualifies as a veteran under this section unless the employer determines that the person's absence would impose an undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business as defined by paragraph (d) of subdivision ten of section two hundred ninety-six of the executive law.
2. Subdivision one of this section shall apply only when the employer has previously received written documentation identifying the person as a veteran on or before October fifteenth of the same year such leave is being requested.
3. The entire period of the authorized leave of absence granted pursuant to this section shall either be unpaid excused leave for persons who are subject to the overtime provisions of this chapter, the federal fair labor standards act and regulations promulgated thereunder, or may otherwise be charged against any other leave to which such person is entitled, as determined by the person.
4. Nothing set forth in this section shall be construed to impede, infringe or diminish the rights and benefits which accrue to employees through bona fide collective bargaining agreements, or otherwise diminish the integrity of the existing collective bargaining relationship.
5. For the purposes of this section, the term "veteran" shall mean a member of the armed forces of the United States who was honorably
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04519-01-7
A. 4423 2
discharged or released under honorable circumstances from such service, who is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States and who is a resident of the state of New York at the time of application for leave.
6. This section shall not apply to any individual covered by section sixty-three of the public officers law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of October next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.