Lawmakers announce signing of New York HERO Act

NEW YORK STATE (WRGB) — Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Karines Reyes announced that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed the New York HERO Act (S.1034-B/A.2681-B).

The bill, now a law, requires businesses to have enforceable safety standards to prevent further spread of coronavirus and other airborne diseases.

“Too many workers have already sacrificed their health for our community’s benefit. The New York HERO Act will honor their efforts by giving workers the tools to protect themselves while on the job,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I appreciate the efforts of so many advocates and organizers who made this success possible.”

“I am honored to have sponsored the NY HERO Act that was borne out of my very own experiences serving as a nurse on the frontlines during the peak of the pandemic. It is crucial that workers are able to operate in a safe environment and have the full support of New York State,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes. “I want to thank my colleague Senator Mike Gianaris for carrying this bill in the Senate and the countless advocacy groups that have relentlessly fought to get this vital legislation signed into law. New York now has the tools it needs to ensure that it can get on the safest path to recovery.”

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The NY HERO Act, or the New York Health and Essential Rights Act, requires the Departments of Labor and Health to implement enforceable minimum standards for workplace safety. The regulations must include protocols on testing, PPE, social distancing, hand hygiene, disinfection, and engineering controls. Workers would also be given a direct role in monitoring and reporting violations through workplace health and safety committees and employees would be protected from retaliation for utilizing their rights under the law.