As the 2026 New York State Legislative Session wrapped up on June 5, District Council 37’s Political Action & Legislative Department noted several key victories and policy advancements achieved by DC 37 this year. The following report also highlights several important bills that the union will continue to champion in next year’s session. Through strategic advocacy and member engagement, DC 37 remains committed to advancing policies that protect workers, strengthen public services, and support the communities where our members live and serve.

Passed Both Houses

The following section highlights key bills that successfully passed both the New York State Assembly and Senate during the 2026 legislative session and are now awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law.

Protecting Unions: Prohibiting the Impersonation of Union Organizations – S9577A (Ramos)/ A10835A (Griffin)

This bill prohibits the impersonation of a union organization or representative. To ensure the end of the predatory efforts of billionaire-backed union busters to discourage union membership, mislead workers, and disrupt organizing efforts

Consumer Protection: One Fair Price Act – S8623 (May)/A9349B (Torres)

Prohibits surveillance pricing, regulates the use of certain dynamic pricing systems, and establishes disclosure requirements for certain pricing practices.

Value-Based Food Procurement: Good Food NY – S7638B (Hinchey)/A8091B (Peoples-Stokes)

This bill would enable public institutions across New York to engage in ‘values-based’ food procurement

Passed the Assembly

The following section highlights key bills that were successfully passed by the New York State Assembly during the 2026 legislative session. DC 37 will continue advocating for their passage in both houses during the next legislative session.

Worker Safety: Workplace Violence Prevention in Libraries – S7993A (Ramos)/A6903B (Bronson)

Requires every public library to establish a proactive violence prevention program, as well as training on de-escalation techniques and managing mental health crises.

Passed the Senate

The following section highlights key bills that were successfully passed by the New York State Senate during the 2026 legislative session. DC 37 will continue advocating for their passage in both houses during the next legislative session.

Mental Health Support for First responders: First Responder Peer Support Program Act – S5407A (Harckham)/A7285A (Burdick)

This legislation will establish a first responder peer support program to prioritize the mental well-being of state volunteers and first responders.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation: New York Artificial Intelligence Act – S1169A (Gonzalez)/A8884 (Solages)

Regulates the development and use of certain artificial intelligence systems to prevent algorithmic discrimination and requires independent audits of high-risk AI.

Consumer Protection: Protection from Discriminatory Pricing Act – S8616A (Gianaris)/A9396B (Solages)

This bill protects consumers and workers alike by prohibiting the use of ESL and surveillance pricing in grocery stores and pharmacies..

Bills that didn’t pass in either house

DC 37 will continue advocating for the passage of these bills in the Senate and Assembly during the next legislative session.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation:

Boundaries on Technology Act (BOT) – S10147 (Gonzalez)/ A3779 (Alvarez)

This billregulates workplace electronic monitoring and AI decision-making by requiring transparency, employee access to collected data, safeguards against bias and exploitation, and meaningful human oversight.

Safeguards for AI Deployment by Public Employers – S10025 (Hinchey)/ A11175 (Bronson)

Requires public employers to provide advanced notice when planning to acquire or deploy any new application or technology that utilizes AI.

Healthcare:

The Fair Pricing Act – S705A (Kruger)/A2140A (Jackson)

This legislation wouldcap prices for certain routine services at 150% of Medicare’s prices to ensure that routine outpatient services do not cost New Yorkers arbitrarily high prices as a result of hospital market power or consolidation in healthcare. 

Worker Safety:

Strengthening Workplace Violence Prevention – S7658 (Ramos)/A8223 (Bronson)

This bill will add more protections for public employees regarding workplace violence and require public employers to take specific action to prevent workplace violence by establishing enforcement provisions.

Temperature Extreme Mitigation (TEMP) Act – S3412 (Ramos)/A3527 (Bronson)

Establishes temperature protection standards and education, as well as training and reporting requirements for all employers to provide safe conditions for their employees.

Supporting the Social Workers Workforce:

The Social Work Workforce Act –  S988 (Brouk)/A701 (Gonzalez-Rojas):

Eliminates  the requirement that applicants must pass a standardized entry-level exam to qualify to be a Licensed Master Social Worker.

Financial Justice and Equity:

The Stop Taking Our Paychecks (STOP)- Act S8939 (Brouk)/A9644 (Raga):

This bill will classify payday wage or cash advances as loans. To ensure Payday loan apps cannot evade New York’s Usury Laws.

Criminal Justice Reform:

Earned Time Act- S342 (Cooney)/A1085 (Kelles):

Providing time allowances against the term or maximum term of sentences imposed by the court to be credited on an annual pro rata basis.

Second Look Act- S158 (Salazar)/A1283 (Walker):

Authorizes certain people that are confined in institutions operated by the department of corrections and community supervision to apply for a sentence reduction.

Marvin Mayfield Act – S1209 (Myrie)/A1297 (Meeks):

Eliminates mandatory minimum sentences.