What's happening
This bill requires employers in New York to allow employees to use their accrued sick leave for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).
Why it matters
Expands explicit protections for workers. By specifically naming dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) as a valid reason to use accrued sick leave, the bill legitimizes a common but often stigmatized health condition, potentially reducing workplace discrimination or skepticism around menstrual pain.
Impacts all employers and employees statewide. The bill applies broadly to both public and private sector employers in New York with even a single employee, meaning its effects will be felt across a wide range of workplaces, not just large companies.
Preserves collective bargaining power. The bill does not override existing collective bargaining agreements, respecting union-negotiated benefits and leaving the door open for even stronger protections where unions have negotiated them.
Allows flexible sick leave usage. Employees suffering from dysmenorrhea can use their sick leave in full or partial day increments, offering flexibility for those who may only need a few hours off rather than a full day, which can help minimize lost wages and productivity.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Sick Leave for Period Pain
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to labor
- Referred to labor
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1664
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to dysmenorrhea and use of sick leave
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 19 to read as follows:
§ 19. Sick leave; dysmenorrhea. 1. For purposes of this section:
(a) "employer" means a state agency, an office or department, a unit of local government, a school district, an individual, a partnership, an association, a corporation or a nonprofit organization, which employs one or more employees in the state of New York;
(b) "dysmenorrhea" means painful menstruation, typically involving abdominal cramps; and
(c) "sick leave" shall not include any benefit provided under an employee welfare benefit plan subject to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and shall not include any insurance benefit, workers' compensation benefit, unemployment compensation disability benefit, or benefit not payable from the employer.
2. Any employee working for an employer, which provides sick leave for its employees, shall be entitled to utilize such employee's accrued and available sick leave as a result of suffering from dysmenorrhea. Such leave may be taken in either full day or partial day increments.
3. Except as otherwise provided pursuant to a valid collective bargaining agreement, an employer who provides sick leave for employees shall permit an employee to use in any calendar year, such employee's accrued and available sick leave pursuant to this section.
§ 2. Nothing in this act 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 integ-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04107-01-5
rity of existing collective bargaining agreements and other past practices.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however, the provisions of this act shall not supersede any collective bargaining agreement, during its term, in existence on the effective date of this act.
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.