Senate bill · S6987 (2025-26)

Relates to workplace safety equipment for social services employees

PassedLatest action Jun 4, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A7833, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A7833, the matching Assembly bill.

Sponsor

Pete Harckham

State Senator, District 40 · Democratic/Working Families

Summary

Requires every city or county social services district to provide a wearable or mobile phone-based panic button to each employee whose job responsibilities necessitate direct interaction with clients in a client's home.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Social Services Law.

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 22, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section one adds a new section to article 3 of the social services law to require social services districts to provide panic buttons to employ-ees who interact directly with clients in external locations. Section two sets the effective date.

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

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

Committee

Rules · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Rules · New York State Senate, Social Services · New York State Assembly, Social Services · New York State Senate, Ways and Means · New York State Assembly.

Cosponsors

Andrew Hevesi, Angelo Santabarbara and 17 more on Agora

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate

Democratic16
Republican3

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

Show the full list (19 names)

The sponsor's argument

Why Pete Harckham says this is needed

Social workers frequently engage with clients alone in various settings, including clients homes. These interactions can expose them to poten- tial threats, including verbal and physical confrontations. The Ameri- can Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) found that 70% of front-line child welfare workers have been victims of violence/threats in the line of duty. Further, social service workers in the public sector are 7 times more likely to be victims of violent assaults. This bill addresses these dangers by ensuring that social workers are equipped with panic buttons that can provide immediate assistance in emergencies. The panic button sYstem will enable social workers to alert emergency services discreetly without escalating potentially dangerous situations. This bill is a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding our social services workforce.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 4, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A7833, the matching Assembly bill.
(59) (1) (0) (3)

Full history

Jun 4, 2026
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
Jun 4, 2026
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1795
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1795
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jun 4, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate

Show full history (11 earlier events)

Jun 4, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
NY Assembly
Jun 4, 2026
Rules Report CAL.488
RULES REPORT CAL.488
NY Assembly
Jun 4, 2026
Substituted
SUBSTITUTED BY A7833A
NY Senate
Jan 13, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Ways and Means
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
Jan 9, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Social Services
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
May 20, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
Apr 11, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly
Mar 27, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Senate