Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson’s (D-104) bill requiring employers to disclose if and when they plan to hire for their job listings (A.6292) passed in the State Legislature.

The bill would amend current Labor Law by regulating so-called “ghost jobs,” which are jobs advertised but not intended to be filled by an employer. The bill would require listings to state when a job is to be filled. If the job isn’t being filled, the listing must clearly state that it isn’t for a current vacancy, but to collect resumes. Once a job is filled, the listing must be taken down within two weeks.

“The only thing worse than being turned down for a job after an interview is wasting time applying for a job that doesn’t exist at all,” Jacobson said.

The bill applies to companies with at least 100 employees, as well as third-party job posting sites. It establishes a fine of $2,500 for each publication of the advertisement, with fines doubling every 30 days that the listing isn’t corrected.

In his memorandum supporting the bill, Jacobson cites a recent survey from the career site Resume Builder, in which 40% of companies said they posted a fake job listing in 2024. A 2025 report from another career site, MyPerfectResume, estimated that nearly a third of U.S. job postings don’t result in an actual hire.

“This isn’t just a frustration for job-seekers. Ghost jobs also make it harder to get a clear picture of the labor market, which can impact the Federal jobs report,” Jacobson said.

This bill will ensure that such listings are more accurate and timely, making the application process more efficient for job-seekers who invest significant time and effort in their searches. “This bill is fundamentally about transparency and trust in the labor market,” Jacobson said. “It’s hard enough to apply for work. The least employers should do is be honest with the public about the jobs they’re advertising. This bill protects workers while preserving employers' flexibility to recruit and grow.”

The bill was sponsored in the State Senate by Michael Gianaris (D-12) and is awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law.