Bill Text: NY S04742 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Provides workers' compensation benefits for injury or sickness, pregnancy or family leave; applies to an employee and to family members taking family leave to care for an employee.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-20 - PRINT NUMBER 4742B [S04742 Detail]
Download: New_York-2013-S04742-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Provides workers' compensation benefits for injury or sickness, pregnancy or family leave; applies to an employee and to family members taking family leave to care for an employee.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-20 - PRINT NUMBER 4742B [S04742 Detail]
Download: New_York-2013-S04742-Introduced.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 4742 2013-2014 Regular Sessions I N S E N A T E April 19, 2013 ___________ Introduced by Sen. ADDABBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor AN ACT to amend the workers' compensation law and the insurance law, in relation to providing benefits for injury or sickness, pregnancy or family leave THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 76 of the workers' compensation 2 law, as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 2. The purposes of the state insurance fund herein created are hereby 5 enlarged to provide [for the] insurance [by the state insurance fund of] 6 FOR the payment of the benefits required by section two hundred four of 7 this chapter, INCLUDING BENEFITS FOR FAMILY CARE PROVIDED EITHER IN THE 8 SAME POLICY WITH OR IN A SEPARATE POLICY FROM BENEFITS FOR DISABILITY 9 RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF AN EMPLOYEE, AND AS 10 PROVIDED PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN-A OF THIS CHAPTER. A 11 separate fund is hereby created within the state insurance fund, which 12 shall be known as the "disability benefits fund", and which shall 13 consist of all premiums received and paid into said fund on account of 14 such insurance, all securities acquired by and through the use of moneys 15 belonging to said fund and of interest earned upon moneys belonging to 16 said fund and deposited or invested as herein provided. Said disability 17 benefits fund shall be applicable to the payment of benefits, expenses 18 and assessments on account of insurance written pursuant to article nine 19 of this chapter. 20 S 2. The section heading and the first undesignated paragraph of 21 section 120 of the workers' compensation law, as amended by chapter 61 22 of the laws of 1989, are amended to read as follows: 23 Discrimination against employees [who bring proceedings]. It shall be 24 unlawful for any employer or his or her duly authorized agent to EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD00122-01-3 S. 4742 2 1 discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee as to 2 his or her employment because such employee has claimed or attempted to 3 claim compensation from such employer, OR CLAIMED OR ATTEMPTED TO CLAIM 4 ANY BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THIS CHAPTER, or because he or she has 5 testified or is about to testify in a proceeding under this chapter and 6 no other valid reason is shown to exist for such action by the employer. 7 S 3. Subdivision 9 of section 201 of the workers' compensation law is 8 amended by adding two new paragraphs C and D to read as follows: 9 C. "DISABILITY" ALSO INCLUDES FAMILY CARE, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION 10 FIFTEEN OF THIS SECTION. 11 D. UNLESS OTHERWISE SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE, ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS 12 ARTICLE APPLICABLE TO "DISABILITY" SHALL APPLY TO (I) DISABILITY ARISING 13 FROM INJURY OR SICKNESS; (II) DISABILITY CAUSED BY OR IN CONNECTION WITH 14 PREGNANCY; AND (III) DISABILITY REQUIRING FAMILY CARE. 15 S 4. Subdivision 14 of section 201 of the workers' compensation law, 16 as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949 and as renumbered by chapter 17 438 of the laws of 1964, is amended to read as follows: 18 14. "A day of disability" means any day on which the employee was 19 prevented from performing work because of disability, INCLUDING ANY DAY 20 WHICH THE EMPLOYEE USES FOR FAMILY CARE, and for which [he] THE EMPLOYEE 21 has not received his OR HER regular remuneration. 22 S 5. Section 201 of the workers' compensation law is amended by adding 23 ten new subdivisions 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 to read 24 as follows: 25 15. "FAMILY CARE" SHALL MEAN ANY LEAVE TAKEN BY AN EMPLOYEE FROM WORK: 26 A. TO PARTICIPATE IN PROVIDING CARE, INCLUDING PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOG- 27 ICAL CARE, FOR A FAMILY MEMBER OF THE EMPLOYEE MADE NECESSARY BY A SERI- 28 OUS HEALTH CONDITION OF THE FAMILY MEMBER; OR 29 B. TO BOND WITH THE EMPLOYEE'S CHILD DURING THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS 30 AFTER THE CHILD'S BIRTH, OR THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE PLACEMENT 31 OF THE CHILD FOR ADOPTION OR FOSTER CARE WITH THE EMPLOYEE. 32 16. "CHILD" MEANS A BIOLOGICAL, ADOPTED OR FOSTER CHILD, A STEP-CHILD, 33 A LEGAL WARD OR A CHILD OF A PERSON WHO STANDS IN PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP 34 TO THE CHILD WHO IS: 35 A. LESS THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE; OR 36 B. EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND INCAPABLE OF SELF-CARE BECAUSE 37 OF A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY. 38 17. "DOMESTIC PARTNER" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN SECTION FOUR OF 39 THIS CHAPTER. 40 18. "SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION" MEANS AN ILLNESS, INJURY, IMPAIRMENT, 41 OR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITION THAT: 42 A. REQUIRES INPATIENT CARE IN A HOSPITAL, HOSPICE OR RESIDENTIAL 43 HEALTH CARE FACILITY; OR 44 B. REQUIRES CONTINUING TREATMENT BY A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. 45 19. "PARENT" MEANS BIOLOGICAL OR ADOPTIVE PARENT, STEP-PARENT OR 46 PERSON WHO STOOD IN PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP TO AN EMPLOYEE WHEN THE 47 EMPLOYEE WAS: 48 A. LESS THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE; OR 49 B. EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND INCAPABLE OF SELF-CARE BECAUSE 50 OF A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY. 51 20. "FAMILY MEMBER" MEANS A CHILD, SPOUSE, DOMESTIC PARTNER, PARENT, 52 GRANDCHILD, GRANDPARENT, MOTHER OR FATHER OF SPOUSE OR DOMESTIC PARTNER. 53 21. PERSONS WHO STAND IN PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP TO A CHILD INCLUDE 54 THOSE WITH DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES TO CARE FOR AND FINANCIALLY 55 SUPPORT A CHILD OR, IN THE CASE OF AN EMPLOYEE, WHO HAD SUCH RESPONSI- S. 4742 3 1 BILITY FOR THE EMPLOYEE WHEN THE EMPLOYEE WAS A CHILD. A BIOLOGICAL OR 2 LEGAL RELATIONSHIP IS NOT NECESSARY. 3 22. "GRANDCHILD" MEANS THE CHILD OF A CHILD. 4 23. "HEALTH CARE PROVIDER" MEANS A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER WHO IS 5 LICENSED UNDER RELEVANT FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS TO PROVIDE MEDICAL, EMER- 6 GENCY OR HEALTH SERVICES AND IS TREATING AN EMPLOYEE OR A FAMILY MEMBER 7 FOR A SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION. 8 24. "FAMILY CARE COST" SHALL MEAN: 9 A. PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, FORTY-FIVE CENTS PER 10 WEEK; AND 11 B. DURING EVERY SUBSEQUENT YEAR COMMENCING ON JULY FIRST SUCH AMOUNT 12 AS SHALL BE SET BY REGULATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL 13 SERVICES FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE FAMILY CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL BY 14 APRIL FIRST OF THE SAME YEAR BASED ON THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ACTUARIALLY 15 SOUND ESTIMATION OF THE COST PER EMPLOYEE OF PROVIDING FAMILY CARE BENE- 16 FITS, BUT IN NO EVENT MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN PERCENT OF SUCH 17 ESTIMATION OF THE COST PER EMPLOYEE OF PROVIDING FAMILY CARE BENEFITS 18 THROUGH THE STATE INSURANCE FUND. 19 S 6. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 20 203-a to read as follows: 21 S 203-A. RETALIATORY ACTION PROHIBITED. 1. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 22 ONE HUNDRED TWENTY OF THIS CHAPTER AND SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE OF 23 THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE APPLICABLE TO FAMILY CARE LEAVE AS FULLY AS IF SET 24 FORTH IN THIS SECTION. 25 2. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO DIMINISH THE RIGHTS, 26 PRIVILEGES, OR REMEDIES OF ANY EMPLOYEE UNDER ANY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 27 AGREEMENT OR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT; EXCEPT THAT THE INSTITUTION OF AN 28 ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED A WAIVER OF THE 29 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER ANY OTHER CONTRACT OR COLLECTIVE 30 BARGAINING AGREEMENT. 31 S 7. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 32 203-b to read as follows: 33 S 203-B. FAMILY CARE LEAVE. ANY ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE OF A COVERED EMPLOY- 34 ER WHO, AFTER JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, HAS IN EMPLOYMENT 35 TWENTY-FIVE OR MORE EMPLOYEES ON EACH OF AT LEAST THIRTY DAYS IN ANY 36 CALENDAR YEAR WHO TAKES LEAVE UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE ENTITLED, ON 37 RETURN FROM SUCH LEAVE, TO BE RESTORED BY THE EMPLOYER TO THE POSITION 38 OF EMPLOYMENT HELD BY THE EMPLOYEE WHEN THE LEAVE COMMENCED, OR TO BE 39 RESTORED TO A COMPARABLE POSITION WITH COMPARABLE EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, 40 PAY AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT. THE TAKING OF LEAVE 41 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FAMILY CARE SHALL NOT RESULT IN THE LOSS OF ANY 42 EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT ACCRUED PRIOR TO THE DATE ON WHICH THE LEAVE 43 COMMENCED. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ENTITLE ANY 44 RESTORED EMPLOYEE TO THE ACCRUAL OF ANY SENIORITY OR EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS 45 DURING ANY PERIOD OF LEAVE, OR ANY RIGHT, BENEFIT OR POSITION TO WHICH 46 THE EMPLOYEE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTITLED HAD THE EMPLOYEE NOT TAKEN THE 47 LEAVE. A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE A VIOLATION OF SECTION ONE 48 HUNDRED TWENTY OF THIS CHAPTER AND ALL REMEDIES AND PENALTIES AVAILABLE 49 UNDER SECTION ONE HUNDRED TWENTY OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR 50 VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION AS FULLY AS IF SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION. 51 S 8. Subdivision 1 of section 204 of the workers' compensation law, as 52 added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949, is amended and a new subdivi- 53 sion 3 is added to read as follows: 54 1. Disability benefits shall be payable to an eligible employee for 55 disabilities commencing after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred fifty, 56 beginning with the eighth consecutive day of disability and thereafter S. 4742 4 1 during the continuance of disability, subject to the limitations as to 2 maximum and minimum amounts and duration and other conditions and limi- 3 tations in this section and in sections two hundred five and two hundred 4 six OF THIS ARTICLE. Successive periods of disability caused by the 5 same or related injury or sickness OR REASON FOR FAMILY CARE shall be 6 deemed a single period of disability only if separated by less than 7 three months. 8 3. THE WEEKLY BENEFIT WHICH THE DISABLED EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO 9 RECEIVE FOR DISABILITY COMMENCING ON OR AFTER JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOU- 10 SAND FOURTEEN SHALL BE FIFTY PERCENT OF THE EMPLOYEE'S AVERAGE WEEKLY 11 WAGE, BUT IN NO CASE SHALL SUCH BENEFIT EXCEED THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT OF 12 THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT 13 OF LABOR PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO OF THIS CHAPTER. 14 THE WEEKLY BENEFIT WHICH THE DISABLED EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE 15 FOR DISABILITY COMMENCING ON OR AFTER APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN 16 SHALL BE FIFTY PERCENT OF THE EMPLOYEE'S AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE, BUT IN NO 17 CASE SHALL SUCH BENEFIT EXCEED FORTY PERCENT OF THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE 18 WEEKLY WAGE AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PURSUANT TO 19 SUBDIVISION SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO OF THIS CHAPTER. THE WEEKLY BENEFIT 20 WHICH THE DISABLED EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE FOR DISABILITY 21 COMMENCING ON OR AFTER APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN SHALL BE FIFTY 22 PERCENT OF THE EMPLOYEE'S AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE BUT IN NO CASE SHALL SUCH 23 BENEFIT EXCEED FORTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE 24 AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION 25 SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO OF THIS CHAPTER. THE WEEKLY BENEFIT WHICH THE 26 DISABLED EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE FOR DISABILITY COMMENCING ON OR 27 AFTER APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN AND SUBSEQUENTLY SHALL BE 28 FIFTY PERCENT OF THE EMPLOYEE'S AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE BUT IN NO CASE SHALL 29 SUCH BENEFIT EXCEED FIFTY PERCENT OF THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE 30 AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION 31 SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO OF THIS CHAPTER. 32 S 9. Subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 of section 205 of the workers' 33 compensation law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 651 of the laws of 34 1958, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 270 of the laws of 1990 and 35 subdivisions 3, 4, 7 and 8 as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949 36 and as renumbered by chapter 352 of the laws of 1981, are amended and a 37 new subdivision 9 is added to read as follows: 38 1. (A) For DISABILITY RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF 39 AN EMPLOYEE, FOR more than twenty-six weeks during a period of fifty-two 40 consecutive calendar weeks or during any one period of disability; OR 41 (B) FOR FAMILY CARE, FOR MORE THAN TWELVE WEEKS DURING A PERIOD OF 42 FIFTY-TWO CONSECUTIVE CALENDAR WEEKS OR DURING ANY ONE PERIOD OF FAMILY 43 CARE; 44 2. for any period of disability RESULTING FROM THE INJURY, SICKNESS OR 45 PREGNANCY OF AN EMPLOYEE during which an employee is not under the care 46 of a duly licensed physician or with respect to disability resulting 47 from a condition of the foot which may lawfully be treated by a duly 48 registered and licensed podiatrist of the state of New York or with 49 respect to a disability resulting from a condition which may lawfully be 50 treated by a duly registered and licensed chiropractor of the state of 51 New York or with respect to a disability resulting from a condition 52 which may lawfully be treated by a duly licensed dentist of the state of 53 New York or with respect to a disability resulting from a condition 54 which may lawfully be treated by a duly registered and licensed psychol- 55 ogist of the state of New York or with respect to a disability resulting 56 from a condition which may lawfully be treated by a duly certified nurse S. 4742 5 1 midwife, for any period of such disability during which an employee is 2 neither under the care of a physician nor a podiatrist, nor a chiroprac- 3 tor, nor a dentist, nor a psychologist, nor a certified nurse midwife; 4 and for any period of disability during which an employee who adheres to 5 the faith or teachings of any church or denomination and who in accord- 6 ance with its creed, tenets or principles depends for healing upon pray- 7 er through spiritual means alone in the practice of religion, is not 8 under the care of a practitioner duly accredited by the church or denom- 9 ination, and provided such employee shall submit to all physical exam- 10 inations as required by this chapter[.]; 11 3. for any disability RESULTING FROM INJURY OR SICKNESS OF AN EMPLOYEE 12 occasioned by the wilful intention of the employee to bring about injury 13 to or the sickness of himself or another, or resulting from any injury 14 or sickness sustained in the perpetration by the employee of an illegal 15 act; 16 4. for any day of disability during which the employee performed work 17 for remuneration or profit; BUT NOT INCLUDING ANY REMUNERATION RECEIVED 18 FOR CARING FOR A FOSTER OR ADOPTED CHILD OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL RESIDING IN 19 THE EMPLOYEE'S PLACE OF RESIDENCE; 20 7. for any disability due to any act of war, declared or undeclared, 21 if such act shall occur after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred fifty, 22 EXCEPT THAT NOTHING IN THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BAR AN EMPLOYEE FROM 23 RECEIVING BENEFITS UNDER THIS ARTICLE FOR CARE OF A FAMILY MEMBER DISA- 24 BLED DUE TO AN ACT OF WAR; 25 8. for any disability RESULTING FROM AN INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY 26 OF THE EMPLOYEE commencing before the employee becomes eligible to bene- 27 fits hereunder [or commencing prior to July first, nineteen hundred 28 fifty, but this shall not preclude benefits for recurrence after July 29 first, nineteen hundred fifty, of a disability commencing prior there- 30 to.]; 31 9. FOR ANY DAY OF ABSENCE FROM WORK REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ANY DISCIPLI- 32 NARY PROCESS; OR, IN REGARD TO FAMILY CARE BENEFITS, ANY DAY OF ABSENCE 33 FROM WORK RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF THE EMPLOYEE, 34 INCLUDING ANY LEAVE TAKEN UNDER SECTION SEVENTY-ONE OR SEVENTY-THREE OF 35 THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW. 36 S 10. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 37 205-a to read as follows: 38 S 205-A. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR FAMILY CARE AND 39 FOR THE EMPLOYEE'S OWN INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY. THE RECEIPT OF 40 BENEFITS FOR DISABILITY RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF 41 THE EMPLOYEE, SHALL NOT COUNT TOWARD ANY TIME LIMITATION UNDER SUBDIVI- 42 SION ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE ON THE RECEIPT OF 43 BENEFITS FOR FAMILY CARE, AND THE RECEIPT OF BENEFITS FOR FAMILY CARE 44 SHALL NOT COUNT TOWARD ANY TIME LIMITATION UNDER SUBDIVISION ONE OF 45 SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE ON THE RECEIPT OF BENEFITS FOR 46 DISABILITY RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY TO THE EMPLOYEE, 47 EXCEPT THAT AN EMPLOYEE MAY RECEIVE DISABILITY BENEFITS ON ONLY ONE 48 CLAIM AT ANY TIME. 49 S 11. Subdivision 3 of section 209 of the workers' compensation law, 50 as amended by chapter 415 of the laws of 1983, is amended to read as 51 follows: 52 3. The contribution of each such employee to the cost of disability 53 benefits provided by this article shall be one-half of one per centum of 54 the employee's wages paid to him on and after July first, nineteen 55 hundred fifty, but not in excess of sixty cents per week FOR THE COST OF 56 DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF THE EMPLOYEE S. 4742 6 1 PLUS THE FAMILY CARE COST, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-FOUR OF 2 SECTION TWO HUNDRED ONE OF THIS ARTICLE. 3 S 12. Section 211 of the workers' compensation law is amended by 4 adding two new subdivisions 7 and 8 to read as follows: 5 7. SUCH FAMILY CARE BENEFITS AS ARE PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL 6 BE IN ADDITION TO, AND SHALL NOT AMEND, REPEAL OR REPLACE, THE TERMS OF 7 ANY AGREEMENT THAT IS COLLECTIVELY NEGOTIATED BETWEEN AN EMPLOYER AND 8 AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING AGREEMENT OR INTEREST ARBITRATION 9 AWARDS MADE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW. 10 8. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER TO USE THE SAME 11 CARRIER TO PROVIDE BENEFITS REQUIRED BY OR PERMISSIBLE UNDER THIS ARTI- 12 CLE FOR DISABILITY RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF THE 13 EMPLOYEE AS IT USES TO PROVIDE BENEFITS REQUIRED BY OR PERMISSIBLE UNDER 14 THIS ARTICLE FOR FAMILY CARE. AN EMPLOYER MAY USE A DIFFERENT MEANS, 15 AMONG THOSE SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISIONS ONE THROUGH FIVE OF THIS SECTION, 16 TO PROVIDE BENEFITS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE FOR DISABILITY RESULTING 17 FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF THE EMPLOYEE, FROM THE MEANS USED 18 TO PROVIDE BENEFITS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE FOR FAMILY CARE. 19 S 13. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 20 211-a to read as follows: 21 S 211-A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES; EMPLOYEE OPT IN. 1. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS 22 SECTION, "PUBLIC EMPLOYEE" MEANS ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE STATE, ANY POLI- 23 TICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE, A PUBLIC AUTHORITY OR ANY OTHER GOVERN- 24 MENTAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY. "PUBLIC EMPLOYER" MEANS THE STATE, ANY 25 POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE, A PUBLIC AUTHORITY OR ANY OTHER 26 GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY THEREOF. "EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION" 27 SHALL HAVE THE MEANING SET FORTH IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED ONE OF THE CIVIL 28 SERVICE LAW. 29 2. PUBLIC EMPLOYERS SHALL PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR FAMILY CARE TO PUBLIC 30 EMPLOYEES WHERE AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS THOSE EMPLOYEES 31 OPTS IN TO FAMILY CARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES AND TERMS SET 32 FORTH IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. 33 3. AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION MAY OPT IN TO THE FAMILY CARE BENEFIT ON 34 BEHALF OF THOSE EMPLOYEES IT REPRESENTS: 35 A. UPON NOTICE GIVEN PRIOR TO APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, 36 WHICH OPT IN SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ONLY ON JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND 37 FOURTEEN; 38 B. AT ANY TIME UPON NINETY DAYS NOTICE FOR ANY EMPLOYER WHO IS NOT 39 PROVIDING DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF AN 40 EMPLOYEE UNDER SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS ARTICLE, OR WHO IS 41 SELF-INSURED FOR SUCH BENEFITS; 42 C. FOR ANY EMPLOYER WHO IS PROVIDING DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR INJURY, 43 SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF AN EMPLOYEE UNDER SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF 44 THIS ARTICLE, UPON NOTICE AT LEAST NINETY DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION 45 OF THE EMPLOYER'S INSURANCE POLICY FOR SUCH BENEFITS, WHICH OPT IN SHALL 46 BE EFFECTIVE ONLY FOR THE TIME PERIOD COVERED BY ANY SUBSEQUENT POLICY 47 OR RENEWAL; OR 48 D. AT ANY TIME AS IS MUTUALLY AGREED UPON BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEE ORGAN- 49 IZATION AND ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYER. 50 AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS OPTED IN TO THE FAMILY CARE BENEFIT 51 MAY OPT OUT OF IT WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS, AND EFFECTIVE UPON THE SAME 52 DATES, SET FORTH IN THIS PARAGRAPH. 53 4. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY CONTRARY STATEMENT IN A COLLECTIVELY NEGOTI- 54 ATED AGREEMENT UNDER ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, A PUBLIC 55 EMPLOYER MAY REQUIRE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WHO OPT IN UNDER THIS SECTION TO 56 CONTRIBUTE UP TO THE FAMILY CARE COST, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWEN- S. 4742 7 1 TY-FOUR OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED ONE OF THIS ARTICLE, PER WEEK IN ACCORD- 2 ANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINE OF THIS 3 ARTICLE. 4 S 14. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 212 of the workers' compensation 5 law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 740 of the laws of 1960 and 6 subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 120 of the laws of 1969, are amended 7 to read as follows: 8 1. Any employer not required by this article to provide for the 9 payment of disability benefits to his employees, or to any class or 10 classes thereof, may become a covered employer or bring within the 11 provisions of this article such employees or class or classes thereof by 12 voluntarily electing to provide for payment of [such] benefits FOR DISA- 13 BILITY RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF AN EMPLOYEE OR 14 FOR FAMILY CARE, OR BOTH, in one or more of the ways set forth in 15 section two hundred eleven OF THIS ARTICLE; but such election shall be 16 subject to the approval of the [chairman] CHAIR, and if the employees 17 are required to contribute to the cost of such benefits the assent with- 18 in thirty days before such approval is granted, of more than one-half of 19 such employees shall be evidenced to the satisfaction of the [chairman] 20 CHAIR. On approval by the [chairman] CHAIR of such election to provide 21 benefits, all the provisions of this article shall become and continue 22 applicable as if the employer were a covered employer as defined in this 23 article. The obligation to continue as a covered employer with respect 24 to employees for whom provision of benefits is not required under this 25 article, may be discontinued by such employer on ninety days notice to 26 the [chairman] CHAIR in writing and to his employees, after he has 27 provided for payment of benefits for not less than one year and with 28 such provision for payment of obligations incurred on and prior to the 29 termination date as the [chairman] CHAIR may approve. ANY ELECTION BY A 30 PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE FAMILY CARE BENEFITS MADE PRIOR TO JULY 31 FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ON THAT DATE. 32 2. Notwithstanding the definition of "employer" and "employment" in 33 section two hundred one of this article, THE STATE, a public authority, 34 a municipal corporation or a fire district or other political subdivi- 35 sion may become a covered employer under this article by complying with 36 the provisions of subdivision one of this section and may discontinue 37 such status only as provided in [that] SUCH subdivision. 38 S 15. Subdivisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of section 217 of the workers' 39 compensation law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 167 of the laws of 40 1999, subdivisions 2 and 3 as amended by chapter 270 of the laws of 1990 41 and subdivision 4 as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949, are 42 amended to read as follows: 43 1. Written notice and proof of disability shall be furnished to the 44 employer by or on behalf of the employee claiming benefits or, in the 45 case of a claimant under section two hundred seven of this article, to 46 the chair, within thirty days after commencement of the period of disa- 47 bility. Additional proof shall be furnished thereafter from time to time 48 as the employer or carrier or chair may require but not more often than 49 once each week. Such proof shall include: 50 (A) IN THE CASE OF DISABILITY RESULTING FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREG- 51 NANCY OF THE EMPLOYEE, a statement of disability by the employee's 52 attending [physician or attending podiatrist or attending chiropractor 53 or attending dentist or attending psychologist or attending certified 54 nurse midwife, or in the case of an employee who adheres to the faith or 55 teachings of any church or denomination, and who in accordance with its 56 creed, tenets or principles depends for healing upon prayer through S. 4742 8 1 spiritual means alone in the practice of religion, by an accredited 2 practitioner, containing facts and opinions as to such disability in 3 compliance with regulations of the chair.] HEALTH CARE PROVIDER; 4 (B) IN THE CASE OF FAMILY CARE FOR BONDING WITH A NEW CHILD, A BIRTH 5 CERTIFICATE, CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION, OR OTHER COMPETENT EVIDENCE SHOW- 6 ING THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS THE PARENT OF A CHILD WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS OF 7 THAT CHILD'S BIRTH OR PLACEMENT FOR ADOPTION OR FOSTER CARE WITH THE 8 EMPLOYEE; 9 (C) IN THE CASE OF BENEFITS FOR CARE OF A FAMILY MEMBER WITH A SERIOUS 10 HEALTH CONDITION: 11 (I) A STATEMENT BY THE FAMILY MEMBER'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, CONTAIN- 12 ING FACTS AND OPINIONS AS TO SUCH HEALTH CONDITION IN COMPLIANCE WITH 13 REGULATIONS OF THE CHAIR; AND 14 (II) A STATEMENT SUBSCRIBED BY THE EMPLOYEE AND AFFIRMED BY HIM OR HER 15 AS TRUE UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, OR OTHER EQUIVALENT DOCUMENTARY 16 PROOF, THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS A PRIMARY CARE GIVER FOR THE FAMILY MEMBER 17 DURING THE TIME OF DISABILITY. 18 Failure to furnish notice or proof within the time and in the manner 19 above provided shall not invalidate the claim but no benefits shall be 20 required to be paid for any period more than two weeks prior to the date 21 on which the required proof is furnished unless it shall be shown to the 22 satisfaction of the chair not to have been reasonably possible to 23 furnish such notice or proof and that such notice or proof was furnished 24 as soon as possible; provided, however, that no benefits shall be paid 25 unless the required proof of disability is furnished within twenty-six 26 weeks after commencement of the period of disability. No limitation of 27 time provided in this section shall run as against any person who is 28 mentally incompetent, or physically incapable of providing such notice 29 as a result of a serious medical condition, or a minor so long as such 30 person has no guardian of the person and/or property. 31 2. An employee claiming benefits FOR THE EMPLOYEE'S INJURY, SICKNESS 32 OR PREGNANCY, OR THE FAMILY MEMBER OF SUCH EMPLOYEE IN ANY CASE WHERE 33 THE EMPLOYEE CLAIMS FAMILY CARE BENEFITS FOR PROVIDING CARE TO THAT 34 FAMILY MEMBER shall, as requested by the employer or carrier, submit 35 himself or herself at intervals, but not more than once a week, for 36 examination by a [physician or podiatrist or chiropractor or dentist or 37 psychologist or certified nurse midwife] RELEVANT HEALTH CARE PROVIDER 38 designated by the employer or carrier. All such examinations shall be 39 without cost to the employee OR FAMILY MEMBER and shall be held at a 40 reasonable time and place. 41 3. The chair may direct the claimant WHO SEEKS DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR 42 HIS OR HER INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY, OR THE CLAIMANT'S FAMILY 43 MEMBER WHERE THE CLAIMANT SEEKS DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR FAMILY LEAVE TO 44 PROVIDE CARE TO THAT FAMILY MEMBER to submit to examination by a [physi- 45 cian or podiatrist or chiropractor or dentist or psychologist] RELEVANT 46 HEALTH CARE PROVIDER designated by him or her in any case in which the 47 claim to disability benefits is contested and in claims arising under 48 section two hundred seven OF THIS ARTICLE, and in other cases as the 49 chair or board may require. 50 4. Refusal of the claimant OR FAMILY MEMBER without good cause to 51 submit to any such examination shall disqualify [him] THE CLAIMANT from 52 all benefits hereunder for the period of such refusal, except as to 53 benefits already paid. 54 S 16. Section 221 of the workers' compensation law, as separately 55 amended by chapters 425 and 500 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read 56 as follows: S. 4742 9 1 S 221. Determination of contested claims for disability benefits. 2 Within twenty-six weeks of written notice of rejection of claim, DENIAL 3 OF RIGHTS UNDER SECTION TWO HUNDRED THREE-A OR TWO HUNDRED THREE-B OF 4 THIS ARTICLE, the employee may file with the [chairman] CHAIR a notice 5 that his or her claim for disability benefits has not been paid, [and] 6 OR THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN DENIED RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY SECTION TWO 7 HUNDRED THREE-A OR TWO HUNDRED THREE-B OF THIS ARTICLE. IN CASES OF 8 DENIAL OF BENEFITS, the employee shall submit proof of disability OR 9 ELIGIBILITY FOR FAMILY CARE and of his or her employment, wages and 10 other facts reasonably necessary for determination of the employee's 11 right to such benefits OR PROOF OF DENIAL OF RIGHTS UNDER SECTION TWO 12 HUNDRED THREE-A OR TWO HUNDRED THREE-B OF THIS ARTICLE OR OF 13 RETALIATION. Failure to file such notice within the time provided, may 14 be excused by the [chairman] CHAIR if it can be shown to the satisfac- 15 tion of the [chairman] CHAIR not to have been reasonably possible to 16 furnish such notice and that such notice was furnished as soon as possi- 17 ble. On demand of the [chairman] CHAIR the employer or carrier shall 18 forthwith deliver to the [chairman] CHAIR PROOF OF DISABILITY, INCLUDING 19 IF RELEVANT the original or a true copy of the attending physician's or 20 attending podiatrist's or accredited practitioner's statement, wage and 21 employment data and all other papers in the possession of the employer 22 or carrier with respect to such claim OR COMPLAINT. 23 The board shall have full power and authority to determine all issues 24 in relation to every such claim for disability OR FAMILY CARE benefits 25 required or provided under this article, OR WITH RESPECT TO DENIAL OF 26 RIGHTS UNDER SECTION TWO HUNDRED THREE-A OR TWO HUNDRED THREE-B OF THIS 27 ARTICLE OR INCLUDING ORDERING PAYMENT OF BENEFITS, DAMAGES AND REIN- 28 STATEMENT and shall file its decision in the office of the [chairman] 29 CHAIR. Upon such filing, the [chairman] CHAIR shall send to the parties 30 a copy of the decision. Either party may present evidence and be repres- 31 ented by counsel at any hearing on such claim. The decision of the 32 board shall be final as to all questions of fact and, except as provided 33 in section twenty-three of this chapter, as to all questions of law. 34 Every decision of the board shall be complied with in accordance with 35 its terms within ten days thereafter except in case of appeal, and any 36 payments due under such decision shall draw simple interest from thirty 37 days after the making thereof at the rate provided in section five thou- 38 sand four of the civil practice law and rules. 39 S 17. Subdivision 2 of section 229 of the workers' compensation law, 40 as added by chapter 271 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as 41 follows: 42 2. Whenever an employee of a covered employer who is eligible for 43 benefits under section two hundred four of this article shall be absent 44 from work due to a disability as defined in subdivision nine of section 45 two hundred one of this article for more than seven consecutive days, 46 the employer shall provide the employee with a written statement of the 47 employee's rights under this article in a form prescribed by the [chair- 48 man] CHAIR. The statement shall be provided to the employee within five 49 business days after the employee's seventh consecutive day of absence 50 due to disability or within five business days after the employer knows 51 or should know that the employee's absence is due to disability, which- 52 ever is later. EACH COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL PROVIDE EACH EMPLOYEE WITH A 53 TYPEWRITTEN, PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC NOTICE IN A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE 54 CHAIR, STATING THAT THE EMPLOYER HAS PROVIDED FOR THE PAYMENT OF DISA- 55 BILITY BENEFITS AS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE 56 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN WHICH S. 4742 10 1 AMENDED THIS SUBDIVISION. EACH COVERED EMPLOYER SHALL PROVIDE SUCH 2 NOTICE TO ALL NEW EMPLOYEES WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THEIR FIRST DAY OF 3 WORK. 4 S 18. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 5 239-a to read as follows: 6 S 239-A. FAMILY CARE STUDY AND MONITORING. 1. THE DEPARTMENT OF 7 FINANCIAL SERVICES SHALL STUDY, AND REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND BOTH 8 HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE BY APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, ON THE 9 FEASIBILITY AND IMPACT OF COMMUNITY RATING DISABILITY INSURANCE OR ANY 10 ASPECT THEREOF. 11 2. THERE SHALL BE CREATED THE FAMILY CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL, WHICH 12 SHALL CONSIST OF FIFTEEN MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS 13 FOLLOWS: TWO ON RECOMMENDATION BY THE NEW YORK STATE AMERICAN FEDERATION 14 OF LABOR-CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE 15 REPRESENTATIVE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS CERTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 16 FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, PARTICIPATING IN THE PAID FAMILY CARE 17 PLAN, ONE OF WHOM IS REPRESENTATIVE OF UNIONS REPRESENTING WORKERS 18 EMPLOYED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR; TWO WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZA- 19 TIONS THAT REPRESENT EITHER COVERED BUSINESS OR PUBLIC EMPLOYERS IN NEW 20 YORK STATE PARTICIPATING IN THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE PLAN; TWO ON NOMI- 21 NATION OF THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY; ONE ON NOMINATION BY THE MINORITY 22 LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY; TWO ON NOMINATION BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF 23 THE SENATE; ONE ON NOMINATION BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE; AND 24 THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, COMMISSIONER OF LABOR AND 25 CHAIR OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD, WHO SHALL SERVE AS MEMBERS EX 26 OFFICIO. THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR SHALL SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL. 27 THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND CHAIR OF THE WORKERS' 28 COMPENSATION BOARD SHALL CONSULT REGULARLY WITH THE COUNCIL ON THE 29 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FAMILY CARE BENEFIT. THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE 30 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD 31 SHALL PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY PERSONNEL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AS MAY BE 32 NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL OR 33 ANY OF ITS MEMBERS MAY ISSUE SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS OR REPORTS AS THEY 34 DEEM WARRANTED ON THE FAMILY CARE BENEFIT, INCLUDING ON THE SCOPE OF THE 35 BENEFIT, PROBLEMS WITH THE BENEFIT; FUNDING OF THE BENEFIT INCLUDING 36 PASS-THROUGH COSTS; POSSIBLE STATUTORY AMENDMENTS AND REGULATORY CHANG- 37 ES; USAGE RATES; OUTREACH; AND COMMUNITY RATING. ANY SUCH RECOMMENDA- 38 TIONS OR REPORTS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNOR, SUPERINTENDENT OF 39 FINANCIAL SERVICES, SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE 40 SENATE AND MINORITY LEADERS OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY. EACH MEMBER OF 41 THE COMMISSION SHALL SERVE A TERM OF THREE YEARS. AN APPOINTMENT TO FILL 42 A VACANCY SHALL BE MADE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE AFFECTED TERM. MEMBERS 43 SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION. 44 S 19. Paragraph 3 of subsection (a) of section 1113 of the insurance 45 law is amended to read as follows: 46 (3) "Accident and health insurance," means (i) insurance against death 47 or personal injury by accident or by any specified kind or kinds of 48 accident and insurance against sickness, ailment or bodily injury, 49 including insurance providing disability benefits pursuant to article 50 nine of the workers' compensation law, INCLUDING ANY INSURANCE UNDER 51 THAT ARTICLE FOR FAMILY CARE BENEFITS, DISABILITY BENEFITS RESULTING 52 FROM INJURY, SICKNESS OR PREGNANCY OF AN EMPLOYEE, OR ALL, except as 53 specified in item (ii) [hereof] OF THIS PARAGRAPH; and (ii) non-cancell- 54 able disability insurance, meaning insurance against disability result- 55 ing from sickness, ailment or bodily injury (but excluding insurance 56 solely against accidental injury) under any contract which does not give S. 4742 11 1 the insurer the option to cancel or otherwise terminate the contract at 2 or after one year from its effective date or renewal date. 3 S 20. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that: 4 (a) Sections two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 5 eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen and 6 nineteen of this act shall take effect January 1, 2013. 7 (b) Paragraph a of subdivision 3 of section 211-a of the workers' 8 compensation law, as added by section thirteen of this act allowing 9 public employees to opt in to family care benefits prior to July 1, 2013 10 and subdivision 1 of section 212 of the workers' compensation law as 11 amended by section fourteen of this act allowing public employers to opt 12 in to family care benefits prior to July 1, 2013, shall take effect 13 immediately. 14 (c) Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of 15 any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on 16 its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed 17 on or before such effective date.