Relates to the prohibition of the use of employment promissory notes and other similar provisions

Where it stands

Signed into law.

Labor · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Labor · New York State Senate, Rules · New York State Assembly, Rules · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This legislation amends the underlying chapter to revise definitions, including the definition of "employer," and defines "transferable credential" as a degree, diploma, license, or certificate widely recog- nized by employers in the relevant industry. The bill establishes specific exceptions to the prohibition on employ- ment promissory notes. It permits agreements requiring repayment for transferable credentials if such agreements are in writing, voluntary, not a condition of employment, limited to the actual cost of the creden- tial, and prorated over the required employment period. It also clari- fies that employees may be required to repay financial bonuses, relo- cation assistance, or other non-educational incentives, provided the employee was not terminated for reasons other than misconduct. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Commissioner of Labor to assess civil penalties for violations, taking into consideration the good faith of the employer and the gravity of the violation. Finally, it delays the effective date of the underlying chapter to one year after it becomes law.

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

Recorded votes

• Vote: Floor vote

  NY SenateJan 28, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A9452, the matching Assembly bill.

  Voted yes (37)Voted no (22)Voted present (0)Absent (2)

  See member positions for the vote on Jan 28, 2026 (Floor vote)

• Vote: Committee vote · Rules

  Senate RulesJan 12, 2026Result: passed

  Voted yes (14)Voted no (6)Voted present (0)Absent (0)

  See member positions for the vote on Jan 12, 2026 (Committee vote · Rules)

Full history

1. Feb 13, 2026

   Sent to the executive

   DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

   NY Assembly

2. Feb 13, 2026

   Signed

   SIGNED CHAP.16

   NY Assembly

3. Jan 28, 2026

   3RD Reading CAL.41

   3RD READING CAL.41

   NY Senate

4. Jan 28, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   PASSED SENATE

   NY Senate

5. Jan 28, 2026

   Substituted

   SUBSTITUTED FOR S8822

   NY Senate

About this record

Summary

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Source

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

Read the record

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