Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers a poster, pamphlet, or other written materials regarding mental health and wellness of employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidelines for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4728
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BRONSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to workplace mental health
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding two new sections 218-c
2 and 218-d to read as follows:
3 § 218-c. Posting of information regarding mental health awareness and
4 resources. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of
5 the office of mental health, shall create and distribute to employers in
6 this state a poster, pamphlet, or other written materials regarding
7 mental health and wellness of employees. Such materials shall be
8 designed to eliminate stigma and misinformation about mental illness,
9 improve employers' and employees' understanding of mental disorders and
10 the existence of effective treatment, and provide information regarding
11 available resources and how to access them, including but not limited
12 to, the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline
13 and other state or federal hotlines, websites maintained by local,
14 state, or national organizations offering mental health services, and
15 the rights of workers with psychiatric disabilities pursuant to the
16 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Every employer shall post such
17 poster, pamphlets, or other written materials in such employer's estab-
18 lishment or place of business, in a place accessible to such employer's
19 employees and in a visually conspicuous manner.
20 § 218-d. Workplace mental health. The commissioner, in consultation
21 with the commissioner of the office of mental health, shall establish a
22 voluntary framework and standards for addressing mental health in the
23 workplace to reduce mental health stigma, increase public, employee, and
24 employer awareness of mental health issues, and provide guidance for
25 employers on strategies and programs to support the mental health and
26 wellness of their employees. Such strategies and programs may include,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01224-02-5
A. 4728 2
1 but not be limited to, an employer sponsored website or online portal
2 for resources and guidelines included in an employee handbook, posters,
3 written/digital resources for workplace mental health, and guidelines
4 regarding best practices for businesses.
5 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
6 it shall have become a law.
