A03870 Summary:
BILL NO | A03870A |
  | |
SAME AS | SAME AS S03004-A |
  | |
SPONSOR | Nolan |
  | |
COSPNSR | Titus, Heastie, Cook, Weprin, Jaffee, Schimel, Colton, Rosenthal, Rozic, Fahy, Perry, DenDekker, Dinowitz, Gottfried, Markey, O'Donnell, Russell, Hooper, Bronson, Mayer, Robinson, Sepulveda, Rodriguez, Moya, Steck, Ortiz, Linares, Abinanti, Walker, Blake, Kavanagh, Lifton, Hunter, Bichotte, Santabarbara, Harris, Ramos |
  | |
MLTSPNSR | Arroyo, Aubry, Barrett, Barron, Braunstein, Brennan, Cahill, Crespo, Davila, Englebright, Farrell, Galef, Glick, Joyner, Kim, Lavine, Lupardo, Miller, Otis, Peoples-Stokes, Pichardo, Pretlow, Quart, Seawright, Simon, Simotas, Solages, Thiele, Weinstein |
  | |
Amd Work Comp L, generally; amd §1113, Ins L | |
  | |
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. |
A03870 Actions:
BILL NO | A03870A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/27/2015 | referred to labor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | reported referred to codes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | reported referred to ways and means | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | reported referred to rules | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | rules report cal.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | ordered to third reading rules cal.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | passed assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | delivered to senate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03/17/2015 | REFERRED TO LABOR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/06/2016 | DIED IN SENATE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/06/2016 | RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/06/2016 | ordered to third reading cal.163 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01/25/2016 | amended on third reading 3870a | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/02/2016 | passed assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/02/2016 | delivered to senate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/02/2016 | REFERRED TO LABOR |
A03870 Committee Votes:
Go to topA03870 Floor Votes:
Yes
Abbate
No
Corwin
No
Goodell
Yes
Lupardo
Yes
Paulin
Yes
Silver
Yes
Abinanti
Yes
Crespo
Yes
Gottfried
No
Lupinacci
Yes
Peoples-Stokes
No
Simanowitz
Yes
Arroyo
No
Crouch
No
Graf
Yes
Magee
Yes
Perry
Yes
Simon
Yes
Aubry
No
Curran
Yes
Gunther
Yes
Magnarelli
Yes
Persaud
Yes
Simotas
No
Barclay
ER
Cusick
No
Hawley
No
Malliotakis
ER
Pichardo
No
Skartados
Yes
Barrett
Yes
Cymbrowitz
Yes
Hevesi
Yes
Markey
Yes
Pretlow
Yes
Skoufis
Yes
Barron
Yes
Davila
Yes
Hikind
Yes
Mayer
Yes
Quart
Yes
Solages
Yes
Benedetto
Yes
DenDekker
Yes
Hooper
No
McDonald
No
Ra
No
Stec
Yes
Bichotte
Yes
Dilan
Yes
Jaffee
No
McDonough
No
Raia
Yes
Steck
Yes
Blake
Yes
Dinowitz
Yes
Jean-Pierre
No
McKevitt
Yes
Ramos
Yes
Stirpe
No
Blankenbush
No
DiPietro
No
Johns
No
McLaughlin
Yes
Rivera
No
Tedisco
No
Borelli
No
Duprey
Yes
Joyner
Yes
Miller
Yes
Roberts
No
Tenney
No
Brabenec
Yes
Englebright
Yes
Kaminsky
No
Montesano
Yes
Robinson
Yes
Thiele
Yes
Braunstein
Yes
Fahy
No
Katz
Yes
Morelle
Yes
Rodriguez
Yes
Titone
Yes
Brennan
Yes
Farrell
ER
Kavanagh
Yes
Mosley
Yes
Rosenthal
Yes
Titus
Yes
Brindisi
No
Finch
Yes
Kearns
Yes
Moya
Yes
Rozic
Yes
Walker
Yes
Bronson
No
Fitzpatrick
Yes
Kim
No
Murray
Yes
Russell
No
Walter
Yes
Brook-Krasny
No
Friend
No
Kolb
No
Nojay
Yes
Ryan
Yes
Weinstein
ER
Buchwald
Yes
Galef
No
Lalor
Yes
Nolan
No
Saladino
Yes
Weprin
No
Butler
Yes
Gantt
Yes
Lavine
No
Oaks
Yes
Santabarbara
No
Woerner
Yes
Cahill
No
Garbarino
No
Lawrence
Yes
O'Donnell
Yes
Scarborough
No
Wozniak
Yes
Ceretto
No
Giglio
Yes
Lentol
Yes
Ortiz
Yes
Schimel
Yes
Wright
Yes
Clark
Yes
Gjonaj
Yes
Lifton
Yes
Otis
No
Schimminger
Yes
Zebrowski
Yes
Colton
Yes
Glick
Yes
Linares
No
Palmesano
Yes
Seawright
Yes
Mr. Speaker
Yes
Cook
Yes
Goldfeder
No
Lopez
No
Palumbo
Yes
Sepulveda
‡ Indicates voting via videoconference
Yes
Abbate
No
Crouch
No
Graf
No
Lopez
No
Palumbo
Yes
Simon
Yes
Abinanti
No
Curran
Yes
Gunther
Yes
Lupardo
Yes
Paulin
Yes
Simotas
Yes
Arroyo
Yes
Cusick
Yes
Harris
No
Lupinacci
Yes
Peoples-Stokes
No
Skartados
Yes
Aubry
Yes
Cymbrowitz
No
Hawley
Yes
Magee
Yes
Perry
Yes
Skoufis
No
Barclay
Yes
Davila
Yes
Hevesi
Yes
Magnarelli
Yes
Pichardo
Yes
Solages
Yes
Barrett
Yes
DenDekker
Yes
Hikind
No
Malliotakis
Yes
Pretlow
No
Stec
ER
Barron
Yes
Dilan
Yes
Hooper
Yes
Markey
Yes
Quart
Yes
Steck
Yes
Benedetto
Yes
Dinowitz
Yes
Hunter
Yes
Mayer
No
Ra
Yes
Stirpe
Yes
Bichotte
No
DiPietro
Yes
Hyndman
No
McDonald
No
Raia
No
Tedisco
Yes
Blake
No
Duprey
Yes
Jaffee
No
McDonough
Yes
Ramos
No
Tenney
No
Blankenbush
Yes
Englebright
Yes
Jean-Pierre
No
McKevitt
Yes
Richardson
Yes
Thiele
No
Brabenec
Yes
Fahy
No
Johns
No
McLaughlin
Yes
Rivera
Yes
Titone
Yes
Braunstein
Yes
Farrell
Yes
Joyner
Yes
Miller
Yes
Robinson
Yes
Titus
Yes
Brennan
No
Finch
Yes
Kaminsky
No
Montesano
Yes
Rodriguez
Yes
Walker
Yes
Brindisi
No
Fitzpatrick
ER
Katz
Yes
Morelle
Yes
Rosenthal
No
Walter
Yes
Bronson
No
Friend
Yes
Kavanagh
Yes
Mosley
Yes
Rozic
Yes
Weinstein
Yes
Buchwald
Yes
Galef
Yes
Kearns
Yes
Moya
Yes
Russell
Yes
Weprin
No
Butler
Yes
Gantt
Yes
Kim
No
Murray
Yes
Ryan
No
Woerner
Yes
Cahill
No
Garbarino
No
Kolb
No
Nojay
No
Saladino
No
Wozniak
Yes
Ceretto
No
Giglio
No
Lalor
Yes
Nolan
Yes
Santabarbara
Yes
Wright
ER
Clark
Yes
Gjonaj
ER
Lavine
No
Oaks
Yes
Schimel
Yes
Zebrowski
Yes
Colton
Yes
Glick
No
Lawrence
Yes
O'Donnell
No
Schimminger
Yes
Mr. Speaker
Yes
Cook
ER
Goldfeder
Yes
Lentol
Yes
Ortiz
Yes
Seawright
ER
Corwin
No
Goodell
Yes
Lifton
Yes
Otis
Yes
Sepulveda
Yes
Crespo
Yes
Gottfried
Yes
Linares
No
Palmesano
Yes
Simanowitz
‡ Indicates voting via videoconference
A03870 Memo:
Go to topNEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)   BILL NUMBER: A3870A SPONSOR: Nolan (MS)
  TITLE OF BILL: 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   PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: To amend the workers' compensation law to provide benefits for paid family leave.   SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section 1: amends subdivision 2 of section 76 of the workers' compen- sation law regarding the state insurance fund and provision of family care benefits. Section 2: amends section 120 of the workers' compen- sation law regarding discrimination related to family care leave by employers. Section 3: amends section 201 workers' compensation law defining disability. Section 4: amends section 201 of the workers' compensation law defining a "day of disability." Section 5: amends section 201 of the workers' compensation law defining "family care", "child", "domestic partner", "serious health condition", "parent", "family member", "parental relationship", "grandchild", "health care provider", "family care cost", "grandparent" and "sibling." Section 6: adds section 203-a to the workers' compensation law regarding prohibi- tion of retaliatory action. Section 7: adds section 203-b to the work- ers' compensation law regarding job-protection for family care leave. Section 8: amends section 204 of the workers' compensation law regarding consecutive days of disability and weekly benefits. Section 9: amends section 205 of the workers' compensation law regarding benefit eligibil- ity. Section 10: adds a new section 205-a to the workers' compensation law regarding receipt of benefits and limitations. Section 11: amends subdivision 3 of section 209 of the workers' compensation law regarding employee contribution to the cost of disability benefits. Section 11-a: amends section 210 of the workers' compensation law regarding employer contributions. Section 12: adds two new subdivisions 7 and 8 to section 211 of the workers' compensation law regarding benefits from this law being in addition to the terms of any agreements that is collectively negotiated between an employee and employers. Section 13: adds a new section 211-a to the workers' compensation law regarding public employ- ees and family leave benefits. Section 14: subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 212 of the workers' compensation law are amended regarding employer obligation of provision of family care benefits. Section 15: amends subdivisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of section 217 of the workers' compen- sation law regarding provision of proof of disability by employee. Section 16 amends section 221 of the workers' compensation law regarding denial of rights to paid family leave benefits. Section 16-a: amends section 226 of the workers' compensation law regarding insurance contracts and disability. Section 17: a mends subdivision 2 of section 229 of the workers' compensation law regarding employer obligation to provide information about family leave benefits. Section 18: amends the workers' compensation law adding a new section 239-a regarding outreach by the department of labor, a study by the department of insurance, and the creation of the family care advisory council. Section 19 amends paragraph 3 of subsection (a) of section 1113 of the insurance law defining "accident and health insurance." Section 20: is the effective date.   JUSTIFICATION: Although the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave to many workers to care for a sick relative or bond with a new child, most people can't afford to take unpaid time from work. Paid family leave benefits would allow all workers to remain in the workforce and still receive some income while taking leave to care for their fami- ly. The need for such leave grows more acute by the day: people are living longer and requiring care in their later years while assisted living and nursing home options are growing fewer and more expensive. Unantic- ipated medical emergencies can drive families into desperate financial situations. Medical bills mount while people are out of work caring for their relatives despite the lack of income. Allowing people to receive some income during a brief leave form work can help prevent such finan- cial disaster. Further, allowing new parents time from work to bond with a newly born or adopted child is a great positive for the entire family in general and a child's development specifically.   PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: A.1793/S.4742 passed Assembly 2013-14; A.6289/S.7547 of 2011-2012   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: To be determined   EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately; provided however, that (a) Sections two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen and nineteen of this act shall take effect on January 1, 2017. (b) Paragraph a of subdi- vision 3 of section 211-a of the workers' compensation law, as added by section thirteen of this act allowing public employees to opt in to family care benefits prior to July 1, 2017 and subdivision I of section 212 of the workers' compensation law as amended by section fourteen of this act allowing public employers to opt in to family care benefits prior to July 1, 2017, shall take effect immediately. (c) Effective immediately, the addition amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regu- lations necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
A03870 Text:
Go to top STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 3870--A Cal. No. 163 2015-2016 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY January 27, 2015 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. NOLAN, TITUS, HEASTIE, COOK, WEPRIN, JAFFEE, SCHIMEL, COLTON, ROSENTHAL, ROZIC, FAHY, PERRY, DenDEKKER, DINOWITZ, GOTTFRIED, MARKEY, O'DONNELL, RUSSELL, HOOPER, BRONSON, MAYER, ROBIN- SON, SEPULVEDA, RODRIGUEZ, MOYA, STECK, ORTIZ, LINARES, ABINANTI, WALKER, BLAKE, KAVANAGH, LIFTON, HUNTER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, AUBRY, BARRETT, BARRON, BICHOTTE, BRENNAN, CAHILL, CLARK, CRESPO, DAVILA, ENGLEBRIGHT, FARRELL, GALEF, GLICK, JOYNER, KAMINSKY, KIM, LAVINE, LUPARDO, MILLER, OTIS, PEOPLES-STOKES, PICHARDO, PRETLOW, QUART, SEAWRIGHT, SIMON, SIMOTAS, SOLAGES, THIELE, WEINSTEIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor -- advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading 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 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD03590-04-6A. 3870--A 2 1 belonging to said fund and of interest earned upon moneys belonging to 2 said fund and deposited or invested as herein provided. Said disability 3 benefits fund shall be applicable to the payment of benefits, expenses 4 and assessments on account of insurance written pursuant to article nine 5 of this chapter. 6 § 2. The section heading and the first undesignated paragraph of 7 section 120 of the workers' compensation law, as amended by chapter 61 8 of the laws of 1989, are amended to read as follows: 9 Discrimination against employees [who bring proceedings]. It shall be 10 unlawful for any employer or his or her duly authorized agent to 11 discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee as to 12 his or her employment because such employee has claimed or attempted to 13 claim compensation from such employer, or claimed or attempted to claim 14 any benefits provided under this chapter, or because he or she has 15 testified or is about to testify in a proceeding under this chapter and 16 no other valid reason is shown to exist for such action by the employer. 17 § 3. Subdivision 9 of section 201 of the workers' compensation law is 18 amended by adding two new paragraphs C and D to read as follows: 19 C. "Disability" also includes family care, as defined in subdivision 20 fifteen of this section. 21 D. Unless otherwise set forth in this article, all provisions of this 22 article applicable to "disability" shall apply to (i) disability arising 23 from injury or sickness; (ii) disability caused by or in connection with 24 pregnancy; and (iii) family care. Unless otherwise set forth in this 25 article, all provisions of this article applicable to a "disabled 26 employee" shall apply to employees in need of time off for the purposes 27 of subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph. 28 § 4. Subdivision 14 of section 201 of the workers' compensation law, 29 as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949 and as renumbered by chapter 30 438 of the laws of 1964, is amended to read as follows: 31 14. "A day of disability" means any day on which the employee was 32 prevented from performing work because of disability, including any day 33 which the employee uses for family care, and for which [he] the employee 34 has not received his or her regular remuneration. 35 § 5. Section 201 of the workers' compensation law is amended by adding 36 twelve new subdivisions 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 37 26 to read as follows: 38 15. "Family care" shall mean any leave taken by an employee from work: 39 A. to participate in providing care, including physical or psycholog- 40 ical care, for a family member of the employee made necessary by a seri- 41 ous health condition of the family member; or 42 B. to bond with the employee's child during the first twelve months 43 after the child's birth, or the first twelve months after the placement 44 of the child for adoption or foster care with the employee. 45 C. because of any qualifying exigency as interpreted under the Family 46 and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2612(a)(1)(E) and 29 C.F.R. § 47 825.126(a)(1)-(8), arising out of the fact that the spouse, domestic 48 partner, child, or parent of the employee is on active duty (or has been 49 notified of an impending call or order to active duty) in the armed 50 forces of the United States. 51 16. "Child" means a biological, adopted or foster child, a step-child, 52 a legal ward or a child of a person who stands in parental relationship 53 to the child. 54 17. "Domestic partner" has the meaning set forth in subdivision one of 55 section four of this chapter.A. 3870--A 3 1 18. "Serious health condition" means an illness, injury, impairment, 2 or physical or mental condition that: 3 A. requires inpatient care in a hospital, hospice or residential 4 health care facility; or 5 B. requires continuing treatment by a health care provider. 6 19. "Parent" means biological or adoptive parent, step-parent or 7 person who stood in parental relationship to an employee. 8 20. "Family member" means a child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, 9 grandchild, grandparent, sibling or parent of a spouse or domestic part- 10 ner. 11 21. "Parental relationship" is a relationship in which a person 12 assumes the obligations incident to parenthood for a child and actually 13 discharges those obligations, or a relationship in which a person 14 assumed those obligations and discharged them before the child attained 15 adulthood. A biological or legal relationship is not necessary. 16 22. "Grandchild" means the child of a child. 17 23. "Health care provider" means a health care practitioner who is 18 licensed under relevant federal or state laws to provide medical, emer- 19 gency or health services and is treating an employee's disability 20 resulting from injury, sickness or pregnancy, or a family member for a 21 serious health condition. For an employee or a family member who 22 adheres to the faith or teachings of any church or denomination and who 23 in accordance with its creed, tenets or principles depends for healing 24 upon prayer through spiritual means alone in the practice of religion, 25 "health care provider" includes a practitioner duly accredited by the 26 church or denomination who is providing care to the employee or family 27 member. 28 24. "Family care cost" shall mean: 29 A. prior to July first, two thousand eighteen, up to forty-five cents 30 per week; and 31 B. during every subsequent year commencing on July first such maximum 32 amount as shall be set by regulation of the superintendent of financial 33 services following consultation with the family care advisory council by 34 April first of the same year based on the superintendent's actuarially 35 sound estimation of the cost per employee of providing family care bene- 36 fits, but in no event more than one hundred fifteen percent of such 37 estimation of the cost per employee of providing family care benefits 38 through the state insurance fund. 39 25. "Grandparent" means the parent of a parent. 40 26. "Sibling" means a brother or a sister, whether related through 41 half blood, whole blood or adoption or a step-sibling. 42 § 6. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 43 203-a to read as follows: 44 § 203-a. Retaliatory action prohibited. 1. The provisions of section 45 one hundred twenty of this chapter and section two hundred forty-one of 46 this article shall be applicable to family care leave as fully as if set 47 forth in this section. 48 2. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to diminish the rights, 49 privileges, or remedies of any employee under any collective bargaining 50 agreement or employment contract. 51 § 7. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 52 203-b to read as follows: 53 § 203-b. Family care leave. Any eligible employee of a covered employ- 54 er who takes leave under this section shall be entitled, on return from 55 such leave, to be restored by the employer to the position of employment 56 held by the employee when the leave commenced, or to be restored to aA. 3870--A 4 1 comparable position with comparable employment benefits, pay and other 2 terms and conditions of employment. The taking of leave for the purpose 3 of family care shall not result in the loss of any employment benefit 4 accrued prior to the date on which the leave commenced. Nothing in this 5 section shall be construed to entitle any restored employee to the 6 accrual of any seniority or employment benefits during any period of 7 leave, or any right, benefit or position to which the employee would 8 have been entitled had the employee not taken the leave. A violation of 9 this section shall be a violation of section one hundred twenty of this 10 chapter and all remedies and penalties available under section one 11 hundred twenty of this chapter shall be available for violations of this 12 section as fully as if set forth in this section. 13 § 8. Subdivision 1 of section 204 of the workers' compensation law, as 14 added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949, is amended and two new subdi- 15 visions 3 and 4 are added to read as follows: 16 1. Disability benefits shall be payable to an eligible employee for 17 disabilities commencing after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred fifty, 18 beginning with the eighth consecutive day of disability and thereafter 19 during the continuance of disability, subject to the limitations as to 20 maximum and minimum amounts and duration and other conditions and limi- 21 tations in this section and in sections two hundred five and two hundred 22 six of this article. When an employee is eligible to receive benefits 23 for family care reasons immediately after receiving benefits for the 24 employee's own injury, sickness or pregnancy, benefits shall be payable 25 to the employee beginning on the first day of eligible family care. 26 Successive periods of disability caused by the same or related injury or 27 sickness or reason for family care shall be deemed a single period of 28 disability only if separated by less than three months. 29 3. The weekly benefit which the disabled employee is entitled to 30 receive for disability commencing on or after January first, two thou- 31 sand seventeen shall be two-thirds of the employee's average weekly 32 wage, but in no case shall such benefit exceed thirty-five percent of 33 the statewide average weekly wage as determined by the state department 34 of labor pursuant to subdivision sixteen of section two of this chapter. 35 The weekly benefit which the disabled employee is entitled to receive 36 for disability commencing on or after April first, two thousand eighteen 37 shall be two-thirds of the employee's average weekly wage, but in no 38 case shall such benefit exceed forty percent of the statewide average 39 weekly wage as determined by the state department of labor pursuant to 40 subdivision sixteen of section two of this chapter. The weekly benefit 41 which the disabled employee is entitled to receive for disability 42 commencing on or after April first, two thousand nineteen shall be two- 43 thirds of the employee's average weekly wage but in no case shall such 44 benefit exceed forty-five percent of the statewide average weekly wage 45 as determined by the state department of labor pursuant to subdivision 46 sixteen of section two of this chapter. The weekly benefit which the 47 disabled employee is entitled to receive for disability commencing on or 48 after April first, two thousand twenty and subsequently shall be two- 49 thirds of the employee's average weekly wage but in no case shall such 50 benefit exceed fifty percent of the statewide average weekly wage as 51 determined by the state department of labor pursuant to subdivision 52 sixteen of section two of this chapter. For disability commencing on or 53 after January first, two thousand seventeen, the weekly benefit for a 54 disabled employee who is concurrently eligible for benefits in the 55 employment of more than one covered employer shall, within the maximum 56 herein provided, be two-thirds of the total of the employee's averageA. 3870--A 5 1 weekly wages received from all such covered employers, and shall be 2 allocated in the proportion of their respective average weekly wage 3 payments. 4 4. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in this article, an employ- 5 ee shall be entitled to take leave for family care under this article on 6 an intermittent or reduced leave schedule, except that an employee shall 7 not be entitled to intermittent or reduced leave to provide family care 8 under paragraph A of subdivision fifteen of section two hundred one of 9 this article unless shown to be medically necessary. The employee shall 10 make a reasonable effort to schedule intermittent or reduced leave so as 11 not to unduly disrupt the operations of the employer. Leave taken on an 12 intermittent or reduced leave schedule shall not result in a reduction 13 of the total amount of leave to which an employee is entitled under this 14 article beyond the amount of leave actually taken. 15 § 9. Subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 of section 205 of the workers' 16 compensation law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 651 of the laws of 17 1958, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 270 of the laws of 1990 and 18 subdivisions 3, 4, 7 and 8 as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949 19 and as renumbered by chapter 352 of the laws of 1981, are amended and a 20 new subdivision 9 is added to read as follows: 21 1. (a) For disability resulting from injury, sickness or pregnancy of 22 an employee, for more than twenty-six weeks during a period of fifty-two 23 consecutive calendar weeks or during any one period of disability; or 24 (b) For family care, for more than twelve weeks during a period of 25 fifty-two consecutive calendar weeks or during any one period of family 26 care; 27 2. for any period of disability resulting from the injury, sickness or 28 pregnancy of an employee during which an employee is not under the care 29 of a [duly licensed physician or with respect to disability resulting30from a condition of the foot which may lawfully be treated by a duly31registered and licensed podiatrist of the state of New York or with32respect to a disability resulting from a condition which may lawfully be33treated by a duly registered and licensed chiropractor of the state of34New York or with respect to a disability resulting from a condition35which may lawfully be treated by a duly licensed dentist of the state of36New York or with respect to a disability resulting from a condition37which may lawfully be treated by a duly registered and licensed psychol-38ogist of the state of New York or with respect to a disability resulting39from a condition which may lawfully be treated by a duly certified nurse40midwife, for any period of such disability during which an employee is41neither under the care of a physician nor a podiatrist, nor a chiroprac-42tor, nor a dentist, nor a psychologist, nor a certified nurse midwife;43and for any period of disability during which an employee who adheres to44the faith or teachings of any church or denomination and who in accord-45ance with its creed, tenets or principles depends for healing upon pray-46er through spiritual means alone in the practice of religion, is not47under the care of a practitioner duly accredited by the church or denom-48ination, and provided such employee shall submit to all physical exam-49inations as required by this chapter.] health care provider; 50 3. for any disability resulting from injury or sickness of an employee 51 occasioned by the wilful intention of the employee to bring about injury 52 to or the sickness of himself or another, or resulting from any injury 53 or sickness sustained in the perpetration by the employee of an illegal 54 act; 55 4. for any day of disability during which the employee performed work 56 for remuneration or profit; but not including any remuneration receivedA. 3870--A 6 1 for caring for a foster or adopted child or other individual residing in 2 the employee's place of residence; 3 7. for any disability due to any act of war, declared or undeclared, 4 if such act shall occur after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred fifty, 5 except that nothing in this subdivision shall bar an employee from 6 receiving benefits under this article for care of a family member disa- 7 bled due to an act of war; 8 8. for any disability resulting from an injury, sickness or pregnancy 9 of the employee commencing before the employee becomes eligible to bene- 10 fits hereunder [or commencing prior to July first, nineteen hundred11fifty, but this shall not preclude benefits for recurrence after July12first, nineteen hundred fifty, of a disability commencing prior there-13to.]; 14 9. for any day of absence from work resulting from injury, sickness or 15 pregnancy of the employee taken under section seventy-one or seventy- 16 three of the civil service law. 17 § 10. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 18 205-a to read as follows: 19 § 205-a. Relationship between disability benefits for family care and 20 for the employee's own injury, sickness or pregnancy. 1. The receipt of 21 benefits for disability resulting from injury, sickness or pregnancy of 22 the employee, shall not count toward any time limitation under subdivi- 23 sion one of section two hundred five of this article on the receipt of 24 benefits for family care, and the receipt of benefits for family care 25 shall not count toward any time limitation under subdivision one of 26 section two hundred five of this article on the receipt of benefits for 27 disability resulting from injury, sickness or pregnancy to the employee, 28 except that an employee may receive disability benefits on only one 29 claim at any time. 30 2. An employer may require that an individual who is entitled to leave 31 under the provisions of the family and medical leave act of 1993, 29 32 U.S.C. Sec. 2601 et seq. shall take any family care benefits provided 33 under this article concurrently with leave taken pursuant to the family 34 and medical leave act. 35 § 11. Subdivision 3 of section 209 of the workers' compensation law, 36 as amended by chapter 415 of the laws of 1983, is amended to read as 37 follows: 38 3. The contribution of each such employee to the cost of disability 39 benefits provided by this article shall be one-half of one per centum of 40 the employee's wages paid to him on and after July first, nineteen 41 hundred fifty, but not in excess of sixty cents per week for the cost of 42 disability benefits for injury, sickness or pregnancy of the employee 43 plus the family care cost, as defined in subdivision twenty-four of 44 section two hundred one of this article. 45 § 11-a. Section 210 of the workers' compensation law, as added by 46 chapter 600 of the laws of 1949, is amended to read as follows: 47 § 210. Employer contributions. 1. Every covered employer shall, on and 48 after January first, nineteen hundred fifty, contribute the cost of 49 providing [disability] benefits for disability resulting from injury, 50 sickness or pregnancy in excess of the contributions collected from his 51 employees, to the extent and in the manner provided in this article. 52 2. The special contribution of each covered employer to the accumu- 53 lation of funds to provide benefits for disabled unemployed shall be as 54 provided in subdivision one of section two hundred fourteen of this 55 article.A. 3870--A 7 1 3. The contribution of every covered employer to the cost of providing 2 [disability] benefits for disability resulting from injury, sickness or 3 pregnancy after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred fifty, shall be the 4 excess of such cost over the amount of the contributions of his employ- 5 ees. 6 4. No profit shall be derived by any employer or association of 7 employers or of employees from providing payment of disability benefits 8 under this article. All funds representing contributions of employers 9 and employees, and increments thereon, held by employers or associations 10 of employers or of employees authorized or permitted to pay benefits 11 under the provisions of this article, and by trustees paying benefits 12 under plans or agreements meeting the requirements of section two 13 hundred eleven of this article, shall be trust funds and shall be 14 expended only to provide for the payment of benefits to employees and 15 for the costs of administering this article and for the support of the 16 fund established under section two hundred fourteen of this article. 17 § 12. Section 211 of the workers' compensation law is amended by 18 adding two new subdivisions 7 and 8 to read as follows: 19 7. such family care benefits as are provided for in this article shall 20 be in addition to, and shall not amend, repeal or replace, the terms of 21 any agreement that is collectively negotiated between an employer and 22 an employee organization, including agreement or interest arbitration 23 awards made pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law. 24 8. nothing in this article shall require an employer to use the same 25 carrier to provide benefits required by or permissible under this arti- 26 cle for disability resulting from injury, sickness or pregnancy of the 27 employee as it uses to provide benefits required by or permissible under 28 this article for family care. An employer may use a different means, 29 among those set forth in subdivisions one through five of this section, 30 to provide benefits required by this article for disability resulting 31 from injury, sickness or pregnancy of the employee, from the means used 32 to provide benefits required by this article for family care. 33 § 13. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 34 211-a to read as follows: 35 § 211-a. Public employees; employee opt in. 1. For purposes of this 36 section, "public employee" means any employee of the state, any poli- 37 tical subdivision of the state, a public authority or any other govern- 38 mental agency or instrumentality. "Public employer" means the state, any 39 political subdivision of the state, a public authority or any other 40 governmental agency or instrumentality thereof. "Employee organization" 41 shall have the meaning set forth in section two hundred one of the civil 42 service law. 43 2. Public employers shall provide benefits for family care to public 44 employees where an employee organization that represents those employees 45 opts in to family care in accordance with the procedures and terms set 46 forth in subdivision three of this section. 47 3. An employee organization may opt in to the family care benefit on 48 behalf of those employees it represents: 49 a. upon notice given prior to April first, two thousand seventeen, 50 which opt in shall become effective only on July first, two thousand 51 seventeen; 52 b. at any time upon ninety days notice for any employer who is not 53 providing disability benefits for injury, sickness or pregnancy of an 54 employee under section two hundred twelve of this article, or who is 55 self-insured for such benefits;A. 3870--A 8 1 c. for any employer who is providing disability benefits for injury, 2 sickness or pregnancy of an employee under section two hundred twelve of 3 this article, upon notice at least ninety days prior to the expiration 4 of the employer's insurance policy for such benefits, which opt in shall 5 be effective only for the time period covered by any subsequent policy 6 or renewal; or 7 d. at any time as is mutually agreed upon between the employee organ- 8 ization and any public employer. 9 An employee organization that has opted in to the family care benefit 10 may opt out of it within the time periods, and effective upon the same 11 dates, set forth in this subdivision. 12 4. In the absence of any contrary statement in a collectively negoti- 13 ated agreement under article fourteen of the civil service law, a public 14 employer may require public employees who opt in under this section to 15 contribute up to the family care cost, as defined in subdivision twen- 16 ty-four of section two hundred one of this article, per week in accord- 17 ance with the procedure set forth in section two hundred nine of this 18 article. 19 § 14. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 212 of the workers' compensation 20 law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 740 of the laws of 1960 and 21 subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 120 of the laws of 1969, are amended 22 to read as follows: 23 1. Any employer not required by this article to provide for the 24 payment of disability benefits to his employees, or to any class or 25 classes thereof, may become a covered employer or bring within the 26 provisions of this article such employees or class or classes thereof by 27 voluntarily electing to provide for payment of [such] benefits for disa- 28 bility resulting from injury, sickness or pregnancy of an employee or 29 for family care, or both, in one or more of the ways set forth in 30 section two hundred eleven of this article; but such election shall be 31 subject to the approval of the [chairman] chair, and if the employees 32 are required to contribute to the cost of such benefits the assent with- 33 in thirty days before such approval is granted, of more than one-half of 34 such employees shall be evidenced to the satisfaction of the [chairman] 35 chair. On approval by the [chairman] chair of such election to provide 36 benefits, all the provisions of this article shall become and continue 37 applicable as if the employer were a covered employer as defined in this 38 article. The obligation to continue as a covered employer with respect 39 to employees for whom provision of benefits is not required under this 40 article, may be discontinued by such employer on ninety days notice to 41 the [chairman] chair in writing and to his employees, after he has 42 provided for payment of benefits for not less than one year and with 43 such provision for payment of obligations incurred on and prior to the 44 termination date as the [chairman] chair may approve. Any election by a 45 public employer to provide family care benefits made prior to July 46 first, two thousand seventeen shall be effective on that date. 47 2. Notwithstanding the definition of "employer" and "employment" in 48 section two hundred one of this article, the state, a public authority, 49 a municipal corporation or a fire district or other political subdivi- 50 sion may become a covered employer under this article by complying with 51 the provisions of subdivision one of this section and may discontinue 52 such status only as provided in [that] such subdivision. 53 § 15. Subdivisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of section 217 of the workers' 54 compensation law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 167 of the laws of 55 1999, subdivisions 2 and 3 as amended by chapter 270 of the laws of 1990A. 3870--A 9 1 and subdivision 4 as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949, are 2 amended to read as follows: 3 1. Written notice and proof of disability shall be furnished to the 4 employer by or on behalf of the employee claiming benefits or, in the 5 case of a claimant under section two hundred seven of this article, to 6 the chair, within thirty days after commencement of the period of disa- 7 bility. Additional proof shall be furnished thereafter from time to time 8 as the employer or carrier or chair may require but not more often than 9 once each week. Such proof shall include: 10 (a) in the case of disability resulting from injury, sickness or preg- 11 nancy of the employee, a statement of disability by the employee's 12 attending [physician or attending podiatrist or attending chiropractor13or attending dentist or attending psychologist or attending certified14nurse midwife, or in the case of an employee who adheres to the faith or15teachings of any church or denomination, and who in accordance with its16creed, tenets or principles depends for healing upon prayer through17spiritual means alone in the practice of religion, by an accredited18practitioner, containing facts and opinions as to such disability in19compliance with regulations of the chair.] health care provider; 20 (b) in the case of family care for bonding with a new child, a birth 21 certificate, certificate of adoption, or other competent evidence show- 22 ing that the employee is the parent of a child within twelve months of 23 that child's birth or placement for adoption or foster care with the 24 employee; 25 (c) in the case of benefits for care of a family member with a serious 26 health condition: 27 (i) a statement by the family member's health care provider, contain- 28 ing facts and opinions as to such health condition in compliance with 29 regulations of the chair; and 30 (ii) a statement subscribed by the employee and affirmed by him or her 31 as true under penalties of perjury, or other equivalent documentary 32 proof, that the employee is a primary care giver for the family member 33 during the time of disability; 34 (d) in the case of benefits due to a military exigency, proof of call 35 to active duty and certification that the leave is for one of the 36 exigencies authorized for leave under regulation of the Family and 37 Medical Leave Act, 29 CFR Sec. 825.309(6). 38 Failure to furnish notice or proof within the time and in the manner 39 above provided shall not invalidate the claim but no benefits shall be 40 required to be paid for any period more than two weeks prior to the date 41 on which the required proof is furnished unless it shall be shown to the 42 satisfaction of the chair not to have been reasonably possible to 43 furnish such notice or proof and that such notice or proof was furnished 44 as soon as possible; provided, however, that no benefits shall be paid 45 unless the required proof of disability is furnished within twenty-six 46 weeks after commencement of the period of disability. No limitation of 47 time provided in this section shall run as against any person who is 48 mentally incompetent, or physically incapable of providing such notice 49 as a result of a serious medical condition, or a minor so long as such 50 person has no guardian of the person and/or property. 51 2. An employee claiming benefits for the employee's injury, sickness 52 or pregnancy, or the family member of such employee in any case where 53 the employee claims family care benefits for providing care to that 54 family member shall, as requested by the employer or carrier, submit 55 himself or herself at intervals, but not more than once a week, for 56 examination by a [physician or podiatrist or chiropractor or dentist orA. 3870--A 10 1psychologist or certified nurse midwife] relevant health care provider 2 designated by the employer or carrier. All such examinations shall be 3 without cost to the employee or family member and shall be held at a 4 reasonable time and place. 5 3. The chair may direct the claimant who seeks disability benefits for 6 his or her injury, sickness or pregnancy, or the claimant's family 7 member where the claimant seeks disability benefits for family leave to 8 provide care to that family member to submit to examination by a [physi-9cian or podiatrist or chiropractor or dentist or psychologist] relevant 10 health care provider designated by him or her in any case in which the 11 claim to disability benefits is contested and in claims arising under 12 section two hundred seven of this article, and in other cases as the 13 chair or board may require. 14 4. Refusal of the claimant or family member without good cause to 15 submit to any such examination shall disqualify [him] the claimant from 16 all benefits hereunder for the period of such refusal, except as to 17 benefits already paid. 18 § 16. Section 221 of the workers' compensation law, as separately 19 amended by chapters 425 and 500 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read 20 as follows: 21 § 221. Determination of contested claims for disability benefits. 22 Within twenty-six weeks of written notice of rejection of claim, the 23 employee may file with the [chairman] chair a notice that his or her 24 claim for disability benefits has not been paid, and the employee shall 25 submit proof of disability and of his or her employment, wages and other 26 facts reasonably necessary for determination of the employee's right to 27 such benefits. Failure to file such notice within the time provided, 28 may be excused by the [chairman] chair if it can be shown to the satis- 29 faction of the [chairman] chair not to have been reasonably possible to 30 furnish such notice and that such notice was furnished as soon as possi- 31 ble. On demand of the [chairman] chair the employer or carrier shall 32 forthwith deliver to the [chairman] chair proof of disability, including 33 if relevant the original or a true copy of the [attending physician's or34attending podiatrist's or accredited practitioner's] health care provid- 35 er's statement, wage and employment data and all other papers in the 36 possession of the employer or carrier with respect to such claim or 37 complaint. 38 The board shall have full power and authority to determine all issues 39 in relation to every such claim for disability benefits required or 40 provided under this article, and shall file its decision in the office 41 of the [chairman] chair. Upon such filing, the [chairman] chair shall 42 send to the parties a copy of the decision. Either party may present 43 evidence and be represented by counsel at any hearing on such claim. 44 The decision of the board shall be final as to all questions of fact 45 and, except as provided in section twenty-three of this chapter, as to 46 all questions of law. Every decision of the board shall be complied with 47 in accordance with its terms within ten days thereafter except in case 48 of appeal, and any payments due under such decision shall draw simple 49 interest from thirty days after the making thereof at the rate provided 50 in section five thousand four of the civil practice law and rules. 51 § 16-a. Subdivisions 2 and 3 of section 226 of the workers' compen- 52 sation law, as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 1949, are amended to 53 read as follows: 54 2. Every such policy shall contain a provision that, as between the 55 employee and the insurance carrier, the notice to or knowledge of the 56 occurrence of the [injury or sickness] disability on the part of theA. 3870--A 11 1 employer shall be deemed notice or knowledge as the case may be, on the 2 part of the insurance carrier; that jurisdiction of the employer shall, 3 for the purpose of this chapter, be jurisdiction of the insurance carri- 4 er and that the insurance carrier shall in all things be bound by and 5 subject to the orders, findings or decisions rendered in connection with 6 the payment of benefits under the provisions of this article. 7 3. Every such policy shall contain a provision to the effect that the 8 insolvency or bankruptcy of the employer shall not relieve the insurance 9 carrier from the payment of benefits for disability [suffered by an10employee] that occurs during the life of such policy. 11 § 17. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 229 of the workers' compensation 12 law, subdivision 1 as amended and subdivision 2 as added by chapter 271 13 of the laws of 1985, are amended to read as follows: 14 1. Each covered employer shall post and maintain in a conspicuous 15 place or places in and about the employer's place or places of business 16 typewritten or printed notices in form prescribed by the [chairman] 17 chair, stating that the employer has provided for the payment of disa- 18 bility benefits as required by this article. The [chairman] chair may 19 require any covered employer to furnish a written statement at any time 20 showing the carrier insuring the payment of benefits under this article 21 or the manner in which such employer has complied with section two 22 hundred eleven or any other provision of this article. Failure for a 23 period of ten days to furnish such written statement shall constitute 24 presumptive evidence that such employer has neglected or failed in 25 respect of any of the matters so required. Each covered employer shall 26 provide each employee with a typewritten, printed or electronic notice 27 in a form prescribed by the chair, stating that the employer has 28 provided for the payment of disability benefits as required by this 29 article within thirty days of the effective date of the chapter of the 30 laws of two thousand sixteen which amended this subdivision. Each 31 covered employer shall provide such notice to all new employees within 32 thirty days of their first day of work. 33 2. Whenever an employee of a covered employer who is eligible for 34 benefits under section two hundred four of this article shall be absent 35 from work due to a disability as defined in subdivision nine of section 36 two hundred one of this article for more than seven consecutive days, 37 the employer shall provide the employee with a written statement of the 38 employee's rights under this article in a form prescribed by the [chair-39man] chair. The statement shall be provided to the employee within five 40 business days after the employee's seventh consecutive day of absence 41 due to disability or within five business days after the employer knows 42 or should know that the employee's absence is due to disability, which- 43 ever is later. 44 § 18. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section 45 239-a to read as follows: 46 § 239-a. Family care outreach study and monitoring. 1. The department 47 shall develop and implement a public education campaign to inform work- 48 ers and employers regarding the availability of family care under this 49 chapter. The department's public outreach campaign may include locally 50 tailored public education strategies targeted to new parents and family 51 caregivers who may be eligible for family care under this chapter. As 52 part of the public education program, public officials may maintain a 53 supply of informational leaflets in public buildings, including but not 54 limited to local employment services offices of the department, insti- 55 tutions and facilities under the supervision or control of the depart- 56 ment of health, hospitals, union halls, community centers, schools andA. 3870--A 12 1 local agencies providing services to employers and employees to help 2 ensure that such persons are informed of the availability of family care 3 under this chapter. The department shall make public education informa- 4 tion available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Korean, 5 Haitian Creole, and any other languages deemed appropriate by the 6 department. 7 2. The department of financial services shall study, and report to the 8 governor and both houses of the legislature by April first, two thousand 9 seventeen, on the feasibility and impact of community rating disability 10 insurance or any aspect thereof. 11 3. 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, the depart- 30 ment of financial services and the workers' compensation board shall 31 provide all necessary personnel and logistical support as may be neces- 32 sary to complete the duties of the advisory council. The council or any 33 of its members may issue such recommendations or reports as they deem 34 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 § 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 giveA. 3870--A 13 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 § 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, 2017. 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, 2017 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, 2017, 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.