Prohibits adverse employment action where an employee renders first aid or emergency treatment

Summary

Prohibits adverse employment action where an employee renders first aid or emergency treatment unless it is established that such employee was grossly negligent in providing such first aid or emergency treatment.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Public Health Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3000-a of the public health law is renumbered subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is added to read as follows: No employee, whether in public or private employment, shall be subjected to any adverse employment action, have their terms and condi- tions of employment altered, or be subject to discipline or reprimand, where such employee voluntarily and without exception of monetary compensation, renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or other emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or any other place having proper and necessary medical equipment in close proximity, to a person who is unconscious, ill, or injured, unless it is established that such employee was grossly negligent in providing such first aid or emergency treatment Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately PURPOSE AND JUSTIFICATION: On February 23rd, 2026, a PEF member at Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility in Brocton, NY, was violently assaulted by an incarcerated individual. A corrections officer, witnessing the attack acted courageously and rushed to save the employee's life. Despite this decisive action, the officer was reprimanded by the facility for not calling backup and waiting to intervene. This legislation amends the Good Samaritan Law to ensure that no private or public employer can fire, discipline, or reprimand an employee for breaking workplace protocol while courageously responding to a life- threatening situation and providing emergency medical care, provided the individual is not grossly negligent. The situation at Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility demonstrates the urgent need for employees to be protected when they respond to emergencies that occur in the workplace.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Health · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Health · New York State Senate.

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Recorded votes

• Vote: Committee vote · Health

  Senate HealthMay 19, 2026Result: passed

  Voted yes (15)Voted no (0)Voted present (0)Absent (0)

  See member positions

Full history

1. Jun 5, 2026

   In committee

   COMMITTED TO RULES

   NY Senate

2. May 21, 2026

   Advanced to Third Reading

   ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

   NY Senate

3. May 20, 2026

   2ND Report CAL.

   2ND REPORT CAL.

   NY Senate

4. May 19, 2026

   1ST Report CAL.1240

   1ST REPORT CAL.1240

   NY Senate

5. Apr 22, 2026

   Referred to committee

   REFERRED TO HEALTH

   NY Senate

Read the record

• Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.