Governor Andrew Cuomo Signs New York Paid Sick Leave Bill For Employees Quarantined By Government Order as a Result of COVID-19

On March 18, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law a bill that provides paid, job-protected leave for New York employees who have been quarantined by a government-issued order as a result of COVID-19. These protections take effect immediately.[1]  The terms of this new law are discussed in detail in our prior client alert, Governor Andrew Cuomo Announces Agreement to Provide Paid Leave For Employees Quarantined By Government Order as a Result of COVID-19. 

Additionally, the state has published FAQs and other materials on its website which provide guidance regarding this new law’s requirements.  

In many instances, the leave provided under this New York law overlaps with the leave provided under the federal COVID-19 sick and family leave law, which was also passed on March 18.  Under the terms of this New York law, the federal law will apply except in circumstances where employees are eligible to receive greater benefits under the New York law.  For example, as employers with more than 500 employees are covered under the New York law, but are not covered under the federal law, their employees would receive paid leave under the New York law.  Additional information regarding the federal COVID-19 leave law, and its interaction with this New York COVID-19 sick leave law is available in our prior alert, President Signs “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” Providing Sick and Family Leave for Some Employees.  

Please do not hesitate to contact any of our attorneys if you have any questions regarding these new COVID-19-related leave laws.

[1] A prior version of this bill set forth a general statewide New York sick and safe leave law.  These non-emergency provisions were removed from the bill signed by the Governor and are expected to be addressed at a later date.