What's happening
This bill protects employees from being punished at work for giving first aid in emergencies.
Why it matters
Applies statewide to all employees—public and private—offering protection regardless of job or industry. , which means it could impact a wide range of workplaces from offices and factories to schools and retail stores across New York.
Shifts legal risk away from bystanders who provide emergency aid at work. , encouraging more people to step in and help during crises without fear of losing their job or facing workplace discipline, except in cases of gross negligence.
Represents a significant change to employment law by creating a new, specific protection for Good Samaritan actions on the job. , potentially leading to increased workplace safety and faster emergency response, especially in areas where professional medical help may not be immediately available.
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Who cares
Employees/Workers (Public and Private Sectors)
Care deeply, as this bill would protect them from being fired, disciplined, or otherwise punished by their employer for providing first aid or emergency care outside of their regular workplace duties.
Labor Unions and Worker Advocacy Groups
Have a strong interest in supporting measures that safeguard employee rights and encourage altruistic or civic-minded actions without fear of job-related consequences.
Employers and Human Resources Departments
Need to pay attention, as this law would limit their ability to take adverse employment actions against employees who assist in emergencies outside of the workplace, except in cases of gross negligence.
- Likely support
Emergency Responders and First Aid Training Organizations
May support this bill, as it encourages more individuals to act in emergencies, knowing they're legally protected from workplace retaliation for doing so.
Headline styles
Protect First Aid at Work
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1240
- Referred to health
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.
Protect First Aid Givers
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Phil Steck
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10009
IN SENATE
April 22, 2026
Introduced by Sen. C. RYAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting adverse employment action where an employee renders first aid or emergency treatment
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3000-a of the public health law is renumbered subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is added to read as follows:
2. No employee, whether in public or private employment, shall be subject to any adverse employment action, have their terms and conditions of employment altered, or be subject to discipline or reprimand, where such employee voluntarily and without expectation of monetary compensation, renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or other emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or any other place having proper and necessary medical equipment in close proximity, to a person who is unconscious, ill, or injured, unless it is established that such employee was grossly negligent in providing such first aid or emergency treatment.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15309-01-6
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting adverse employment action where an employee renders first aid or emer- gency treatment
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3000-a of the public health law is renumbered subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is added to read as follows: No employee, whether in public or private employment, shall be subjected to any adverse employment action, have their terms and condi- tions of employment altered, or be subject to discipline or reprimand, where such employee voluntarily and without exception of monetary compensation, renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or other emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or any other place having proper and necessary medical equipment in close proximity, to a person who is unconscious, ill, or injured, unless it is established that such employee was grossly negligent in providing such first aid or emergency treatment
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately
Purpose and justification
On February 23rd, 2026, a PEF member at Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility in Brocton, NY, was violently assaulted by an incarcerated individual. A corrections officer, witnessing the attack acted courageously and rushed to save the employee's life. Despite this decisive action, the officer was reprimanded by the facility for not calling backup and waiting to intervene.
This legislation amends the Good Samaritan Law to ensure that no private or public employer can fire, discipline, or reprimand an employee for breaking workplace protocol while courageously responding to a life- threatening situation and providing emergency medical care, provided the individual is not grossly negligent. The situation at Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility demonstrates the urgent need for employees to be protected when they respond to emergencies that occur in the workplace.
Prior legislative history
New legislation.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.