Senate Bill S3601

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S3601

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the labor law, in relation to meal
and rest breaks for employees who work a certain amount of hours in a
day

 PURPOSE :

To ensure employees who work four or more consecutive hours are
entitled to a ten minute rest break and employees who work five or
more consecutive hours are entitled to a meal break of at least thirty
minutes.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends section 162 of the labor law by adding two new
subdivisions 6 and 7 providing every person employed in or in
connection with a mercantile or other establishment or occupation
coming under the provisions of this chapter who works four or more
consecutive hours shall be entitled to a ten minute rest break, which
shall be counted towards hours worked, and every such person who works
five or more consecutive hours shall be entitled to a meal break of at
least thirty minutes. If the work period for the day is six
consecutive hours or less, the employee and employer may waive the
meal break by mutual consent.

              

Section 2 provides this act shall take effect immediately.

 EXISTING LAW :

Such employees are entitled to a thirty minute "noon day meal" between
the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM when working a shift of more than six
hours, and a forty-five minute meal break during the midpoint of a
greater than six hour shift starting between 1 PM and 6 AM. There are
other provisions relating to employees in factories, late shifts and
permits for shorter time periods.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Work productivity is greater when employees are properly rested and
given adequate time for meals. This should be provided without regard
to the time employees begin and end work.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

03/29/16 - Referred to Labor

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.