LBD05043-01-1
 S. 8108                             2
 
   (D) A SIGNIFICANT DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE;
   (E)  INSUFFICIENCY  OF WORK DURING THE PERIODS AN EMPLOYEE PROPOSES TO
 WORK;
   (F) THE NEED TO BALANCE COMPETING SCHEDULING REQUESTS WHEN IT  IS  NOT
 POSSIBLE  TO  GRANT  ALL SUCH REQUESTS WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT DETRIMENTAL
 EFFECT ON THE EMPLOYER'S ABILITY TO MEET ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS; OR
   (G) SUCH OTHER REASON AS MAY BE SPECIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   2. "CAREER-RELATED EDUCATIONAL OR TRAINING PROGRAM"  MEANS  AN  EDUCA-
 TIONAL  OR  TRAINING  PROGRAM  OR  PROGRAM OF STUDY OFFERED BY A PUBLIC,
 PRIVATE, OR NONPROFIT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SCHOOL, INSTITUTION
 OF HIGHER EDUCATION, OR OTHER ENTITY THAT PROVIDES  ACADEMIC  EDUCATION,
 CAREER  AND  TECHNICAL EDUCATION, OR TRAINING (INCLUDING REMEDIAL EDUCA-
 TION OR ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, AS APPROPRIATE), THAT IS A PROGRAM
 THAT LEADS TO A RECOGNIZED POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIAL AND PROVIDES  CAREER
 AWARENESS INFORMATION.
   3.  "CAREGIVER" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH THE STATUS OF BEING A SIGNIF-
 ICANT PROVIDER OF:
   (A) ONGOING CARE OR EDUCATION, INCLUDING RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  SECURING
 THE ONGOING CARE OR EDUCATION, OF A CHILD; OR
   (B)  ONGOING  CARE,  INCLUDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURING THE ONGOING
 CARE, OF:
   (I) A PERSON WITH A SERIOUS  HEALTH  CONDITION  WHO  IS  IN  A  FAMILY
 RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INDIVIDUAL; OR
   (II) A PARENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WHO IS AGE SIXTY-FIVE OR OLDER.
   4.  "CHILD" MEANS A BIOLOGICAL, ADOPTED, OR FOSTER CHILD, A STEPCHILD,
 A LEGAL WARD, OR A CHILD OF A PERSON STANDING IN LOCO PARENTIS  TO  THAT
 CHILD, WHO IS:
   (A) UNDER AGE EIGHTEEN; OR
   (B)  AGE  EIGHTEEN  OR  OLDER  AND INCAPABLE OF SELF-CARE BECAUSE OF A
 MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY.
   5. "DOMESTIC PARTNER" MEANS THE INDIVIDUAL RECOGNIZED AS  BEING  IN  A
 RELATIONSHIP  WITH  AN  EMPLOYEE UNDER ANY DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP OR CIVIL
 UNION ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OR  OF  ANY
 STATE,  LOCAL  OR  FOREIGN  JURISDICTION,  OR REGISTERED AS THE DOMESTIC
 PARTNER OF THE EMPLOYEE WITH ANY REGISTRY MAINTAINED BY THE EMPLOYER  OF
 EITHER PARTY OR ANY STATE, MUNICIPALITY, OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION.
   6. "EMPLOYEE" MEANS ANY PERSON EMPLOYED FOR HIRE BY AN EMPLOYER IN ANY
 EMPLOYMENT.
   7.  "EMPLOYER" MEANS A STATE AGENCY, OFFICER, OR DEPARTMENT, A UNIT OF
 LOCAL GOVERNMENT, A SCHOOL DISTRICT, AN  INDIVIDUAL,  A  CORPORATION,  A
 PARTNERSHIP, AN ASSOCIATION, OR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION EMPLOYING FIFTY
 OR MORE EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
   8. "FAMILY RELATIONSHIP" MEANS A RELATIONSHIP WITH:
   (A)  A  CHILD, SPOUSE, DOMESTIC PARTNER, PARENT, GRANDCHILD, GRANDPAR-
 ENT, SIBLING, OR PARENT OF A SPOUSE OR DOMESTIC PARTNER; OR
   (B) ANY INDIVIDUAL RELATED TO THE EMPLOYEE INVOLVED BY BLOOD OR AFFIN-
 ITY, WHOSE CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH THE EMPLOYEE IS THE  EQUIVALENT  OF  A
 FAMILY RELATIONSHIP DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
   9. "MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXPECTED WORK HOURS" MEANS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF
 HOURS AN EMPLOYEE WILL BE ASSIGNED TO WORK ON A WEEKLY OR MONTHLY BASIS.
   10.  "NONEXEMPT  EMPLOYEE"  MEANS AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS NOT EMPLOYED IN A
 BONA  FIDE  EXECUTIVE,  ADMINISTRATIVE,  OR  PROFESSIONAL  CAPACITY,  AS
 DEFINED  FOR  PURPOSES  OF SECTION 213(A)(1) OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS
 ACT OF 1938 (29 U.S.C. 213(A)(1)).
   11. "PART-TIME EMPLOYEE" MEANS AN  INDIVIDUAL  WHO  WORKS  FEWER  THAN
 THIRTY HOURS PER WEEK ON AVERAGE DURING ANY ONE-MONTH PERIOD.
 S. 8108                             3
 
   12.  "RETAIL,  FOOD SERVICE, OR CLEANING EMPLOYEE" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL
 NONEXEMPT EMPLOYEE WHO IS EMPLOYED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING  OCCUPATIONS,
 AS  DESCRIBED  BY  THE  BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS STANDARD OCCUPATIONAL
 CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (AS IN EFFECT ON THE DAY BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE
 OF THIS ARTICLE):
   (A)  RETAIL  SALES  OCCUPATIONS CONSISTING OF OCCUPATIONS DESCRIBED IN
 41-1010 AND 41-2000, AND ALL SUBDIVISIONS THEREOF, OF SUCH SYSTEM, WHICH
 INCLUDES FIRST-LINE  SUPERVISORS  OF  SALES  WORKERS,  CASHIERS,  GAMING
 CHANGE  PERSONS  AND  BOOTH  CASHIERS,  COUNTER AND RENTAL CLERKS, PARTS
 SALESPERSONS, AND RETAIL SALESPERSONS.
   (B) FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVING RELATED OCCUPATIONS AS  DESCRIBED  IN
 35-0000,  AND  ALL  SUBDIVISIONS THEREOF, OF SUCH SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES
 SUPERVISORS OF FOOD PREPARATION AND  SERVING  WORKERS,  COOKS  AND  FOOD
 PREPARATION  WORKERS,  FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVING WORKERS, AND OTHER FOOD
 PREPARATION AND SERVING RELATED WORKERS.
   (C) BUILDING CLEANING OCCUPATIONS AS DESCRIBED IN 37-2011, 37-2012 AND
 37-2019 OF SUCH SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES JANITORS AND CLEANERS, MAIDS  AND
 HOUSEKEEPING CLEANERS, AND BUILDING CLEANING WORKERS.
   13.  "SERIOUS  HEALTH CONDITION" MEANS AN ILLNESS, INJURY, IMPAIRMENT,
 OR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITION THAT INVOLVES:
   (A) INPATIENT CARE IN A HOSPITAL, HOSPICE, OR RESIDENTIAL MEDICAL CARE
 FACILITY; OR
   (B) CONTINUING TREATMENT BY A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
   14. "SPLIT SHIFT" MEANS A SCHEDULE OF DAILY HOURS IN WHICH  THE  HOURS
 WORKED ARE NOT CONSECUTIVE, EXCEPT THAT:
   (A)  A  SCHEDULE IN WHICH THE TOTAL TIME OUT FOR MEALS DOES NOT EXCEED
 ONE HOUR SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS A SPLIT SHIFT; AND
   (B) A SCHEDULE IN WHICH THE BREAK IN  THE  EMPLOYEE'S  WORK  SHIFT  IS
 REQUESTED BY THE EMPLOYEE SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS A SPLIT SHIFT.
   15.  "WORK  SCHEDULE"  MEANS THOSE DAYS AND TIMES WITHIN A WORK PERIOD
 WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED BY AN EMPLOYER TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE
 EMPLOYEE'S EMPLOYMENT FOR WHICH THE EMPLOYEE WILL RECEIVE COMPENSATION.
   16. "WORK SCHEDULE CHANGE" MEANS ANY  MODIFICATION  TO  AN  EMPLOYEE'S
 WORK  SCHEDULE,  SUCH AS AN ADDITION OR REDUCTION OF HOURS, CANCELLATION
 OF A SHIFT, OR A CHANGE IN THE DATE OR TIME  OF  A  WORK  SHIFT,  BY  AN
 EMPLOYER.
   17.  "WORK SHIFT" MEANS THE SPECIFIC HOURS OF THE WORKDAY DURING WHICH
 AN EMPLOYEE WORKS.
   § 182. RIGHT TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A FLEXIBLE, PREDICTABLE OR  STABLE
 WORK  SCHEDULE.  1.  AN EMPLOYEE MAY APPLY TO THE EMPLOYEE'S EMPLOYER TO
 REQUEST A CHANGE IN THE TERMS  AND  CONDITIONS  OF  EMPLOYMENT  AS  THEY
 RELATE TO:
   (A) THE NUMBER OF HOURS THE EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK OR BE ON CALL
 FOR WORK;
   (B)  THE TIMES WHEN THE EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK OR BE ON CALL FOR
 WORK;
   (C) THE LOCATION WHERE THE EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK;
   (D) THE AMOUNT OF NOTIFICATION THE EMPLOYEE RECEIVES OF WORK  SCHEDULE
 ASSIGNMENTS; AND
   (E)  MINIMIZING  FLUCTUATIONS  IN  THE NUMBER OF HOURS THE EMPLOYEE IS
 SCHEDULED TO WORK ON A DAILY, WEEKLY, OR MONTHLY BASIS.
   2. (A) IF AN EMPLOYEE APPLIES TO THE EMPLOYEE'S EMPLOYER TO REQUEST  A
 CHANGE  IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AS SET FORTH IN SUBDI-
 VISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE EMPLOYER SHALL ENGAGE IN A TIMELY,  GOOD
 FAITH  INTERACTIVE  PROCESS WITH THE EMPLOYEE THAT INCLUDES A DISCUSSION
 OF POTENTIAL SCHEDULE CHANGES THAT WOULD MEET THE EMPLOYEE'S NEEDS.
 S. 8108                             4
 
   (B) SUCH PROCESS SHALL RESULT IN:
   (I) EITHER GRANTING OR DENYING THE REQUEST;
   (II)  IN  THE  EVENT  OF  A  DENIAL,  CONSIDERING  ALTERNATIVES TO THE
 PROPOSED CHANGE THAT MIGHT MEET THE EMPLOYEE'S  NEEDS  AND  GRANTING  OR
 DENYING  A REQUEST FOR AN ALTERNATIVE CHANGE IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 OF EMPLOYMENT AS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION; AND
   (III) IN THE EVENT OF A DENIAL, STATING THE REASON FOR DENIAL, INCLUD-
 ING WHETHER ANY SUCH REASON IS A BONA FIDE BUSINESS REASON.
   (C) IF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYEE  MAKING  A  REQUEST  UNDER
 THIS  SECTION  REQUIRES  CLARIFICATION,  THE EMPLOYER SHALL EXPLAIN WHAT
 FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED AND GIVE THE EMPLOYEE REASONABLE  TIME  TO
 PRODUCE THE INFORMATION.
   3. IF AN EMPLOYEE MAKES A REQUEST FOR A CHANGE IN THE TERMS AND CONDI-
 TIONS  OF  EMPLOYMENT  AS  SET  FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
 BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS HEALTH  CONDITION  OF  THE  EMPLOYEE,  DUE  TO  THE
 EMPLOYEE'S  RESPONSIBILITIES  AS  A  CAREGIVER, OR DUE TO THE EMPLOYEE'S
 ENROLLMENT IN A CAREER-RELATED EDUCATIONAL OR TRAINING PROGRAM, OR IF  A
 PART-TIME  EMPLOYEE  MAKES  A  REQUEST  FOR  SUCH  A CHANGE FOR A REASON
 RELATED TO A SECOND JOB, THE EMPLOYER SHALL GRANT  THE  REQUEST,  UNLESS
 THE EMPLOYER HAS A BONA FIDE BUSINESS REASON FOR DENYING THE REQUEST.
   4. IF AN EMPLOYEE MAKES A REQUEST FOR A CHANGE IN THE TERMS AND CONDI-
 TIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, FOR
 A REASON OTHER THAN THOSE REASONS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS
 SECTION,  THE  EMPLOYER  MAY DENY THE REQUEST FOR ANY REASON THAT IS NOT
 UNLAWFUL. IF THE EMPLOYER DENIES SUCH  A  REQUEST,  THE  EMPLOYER  SHALL
 PROVIDE  THE  EMPLOYEE WITH THE REASON FOR THE DENIAL, INCLUDING WHETHER
 SUCH REASON IS A BONA FIDE BUSINESS REASON.
   5. AN EMPLOYEE MAY VOLUNTARILY AGREE WITH EMPLOYEE'S  EMPLOYER  TO  BE
 CONTACTED  BY  EMPLOYER  WHEN  EMPLOYEE IS NEEDED TO WORK BUT NOT ON THE
 EMPLOYER'S WORK SCHEDULE.
   § 183. REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING  TIME  PAY,  SPLIT  SHIFT  PAY,  AND
 ADVANCE  NOTICE  OF  WORK SCHEDULES FOR RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING
 EMPLOYEES. 1. AN EMPLOYER SHALL PAY A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE, OR  CLEANING
 EMPLOYEE:
   (A) FOR AT LEAST FOUR HOURS AT THE REGULAR RATE OF PAY OF THE EMPLOYEE
 INVOLVED  FOR  EACH  DAY  ON WHICH THE RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE, OR CLEANING
 EMPLOYEE REPORTS FOR WORK, AS REQUIRED BY THE  EMPLOYER,  BUT  IS  GIVEN
 LESS  THAN  FOUR  HOURS OF WORK, EXCEPT THAT IF THE EMPLOYEE'S SCHEDULED
 HOURS FOR A DAY ARE LESS THAN FOUR HOURS, SUCH EMPLOYEE  SHALL  BE  PAID
 FOR  THE  SCHEDULED HOURS OF THE EMPLOYEE INVOLVED FOR THAT DAY IF GIVEN
 LESS THAN THE SCHEDULED HOURS OF WORK; AND
   (B) FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR AT THE REGULAR RATE OF PAY OF  THE  EMPLOYEE
 INVOLVED  FOR EACH DAY THE RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE, OR CLEANING EMPLOYEE IS
 GIVEN SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT  THE  EMPLOYER  OF  THE  EMPLOYEE
 INVOLVED, OR WAIT TO BE CONTACTED BY THE EMPLOYER, LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR
 HOURS  IN  ADVANCE  OF  THE START OF A POTENTIAL WORK SHIFT TO DETERMINE
 WHETHER THE EMPLOYEE MUST REPORT TO WORK FOR SUCH SHIFT.
   2. AN EMPLOYER SHALL PAY A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE, OR CLEANING  EMPLOYEE
 FOR  ONE  ADDITIONAL HOUR AT THE EMPLOYEE'S REGULAR RATE OF PAY FOR EACH
 DAY DURING WHICH THE EMPLOYEE WORKS A SPLIT SHIFT.
   3. (A) ON OR BEFORE A NEW RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE, OR CLEANING EMPLOYEE'S
 FIRST DAY OF WORK, THE EMPLOYER SHALL INFORM THE EMPLOYEE IN WRITING  OF
 THE  WORK  SCHEDULE  OF  THE EMPLOYEE INVOLVED AND THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF
 EXPECTED WORK HOURS THE EMPLOYEE WILL BE ASSIGNED TO WORK PER MONTH.
   (B) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (C)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  IF  A
 RETAIL,  FOOD SERVICE, OR CLEANING EMPLOYEE'S WORK SCHEDULE CHANGES FROM
 S. 8108                             5
 
 THE WORK SCHEDULE OF WHICH THE EMPLOYEE WAS INFORMED PURSUANT  TO  PARA-
 GRAPH  (A)  OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE EMPLOYER SHALL PROVIDE THE EMPLOYEE
 WITH THE NEW WORK SCHEDULE OF THE EMPLOYEE INVOLVED NOT LESS THAN  FOUR-
 TEEN DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW WORK SCHEDULE. IF THE EXPECTED
 MINIMUM  NUMBER  OF  WORK  HOURS THAT A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING
 EMPLOYEE WILL BE ASSIGNED CHANGES FROM THE NUMBER OF WHICH THE  EMPLOYEE
 INVOLVED WAS INFORMED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE
 EMPLOYER  SHALL  ALSO PROVIDE NOTIFICATION OF THAT CHANGE, NOT LESS THAN
 FOURTEEN DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST  DAY  THIS  CHANGE  WILL  GO  INTO
 EFFECT.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT AN
 EMPLOYER FROM PROVIDING GREATER ADVANCE NOTICE OF A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE
 OR CLEANING EMPLOYEE'S WORK SCHEDULE THAN IS REQUIRED UNDER THIS  SUBDI-
 VISION.
   (C) AN EMPLOYER MAY MAKE WORK SCHEDULE CHANGES AS NEEDED, INCLUDING BY
 OFFERING  ADDITIONAL  HOURS  OF WORK TO RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING
 EMPLOYEES BEYOND THOSE PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED, BUT AN  EMPLOYER  SHALL  BE
 REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ONE EXTRA HOUR OF PAY AT THE EMPLOYEE'S REGULAR RATE
 FOR EACH SHIFT THAT IS CHANGED WITH LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS' NOTICE,
 EXCEPT  IN  THE  CASE  OF  THE  NEED TO SCHEDULE THE EMPLOYEE DUE TO THE
 UNFORESEEN UNAVAILABILITY OF A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING EMPLOYEE
 PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED TO WORK THAT SHIFT.
   (D) THE NOTIFICATIONS REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPHS (A) AND  (B)  OF  THIS
 SUBDIVISION  SHALL  BE MADE TO THE EMPLOYEE INVOLVED IN WRITING. NOTHING
 IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS  PROHIBITING  AN  EMPLOYER  FROM
 USING ANY ADDITIONAL MEANS OF NOTIFYING A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEAN-
 ING EMPLOYEE OF THE WORK SCHEDULE OF THE EMPLOYEE INVOLVED.
   (E)  EVERY  EMPLOYER  EMPLOYING  ANY  RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING
 EMPLOYEE SHALL POST THE SCHEDULE AND KEEP IT  POSTED  IN  A  CONSPICUOUS
 PLACE  IN  EVERY  ESTABLISHMENT WHERE SUCH EMPLOYEE IS EMPLOYED SO AS TO
 PERMIT THE EMPLOYEE INVOLVED TO OBSERVE READILY A COPY THEREOF.   AVAIL-
 ABILITY  OF  THAT SCHEDULE BY ELECTRONIC MEANS ACCESSIBLE BY ALL RETAIL,
 FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING EMPLOYEES OF THAT EMPLOYER SHALL BE  CONSIDERED
 COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH.
   (F)  NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT AN EMPLOYER
 FROM ALLOWING A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING  EMPLOYEE  TO  WORK  IN
 PLACE  OF  ANOTHER  EMPLOYEE WHO HAS BEEN SCHEDULED TO WORK A PARTICULAR
 SHIFT AS LONG AS THE CHANGE IN SCHEDULE IS MUTUALLY AGREED UPON  BY  THE
 EMPLOYEES. AN EMPLOYER SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARA-
 GRAPH (B) OR (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION FOR SUCH VOLUNTARY SHIFT TRADES.
   4. ANY PAY PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISIONS ONE OR TWO
 OR  PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE INCLUDED
 IN THE EMPLOYEE'S REGULAR PAYCHECK. THE EMPLOYER SHALL IDENTIFY, IN  THE
 CORRESPONDING  WRITTEN  WAGE  STATEMENT OR PAY STUB, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
 HOURS OF ADDITIONAL PAY PROVIDED FOR THE PAY PERIOD INVOLVED AND WHETHER
 THE ADDITIONAL PAY WAS DUE TO  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF
 SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  THIS SECTION, THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF
 SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION TWO  OF
 THIS  SECTION, OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION THREE
 OF THIS SECTION.
   5. THE REQUIREMENTS IN SUBDIVISIONS ONE THROUGH THREE OF THIS  SECTION
 SHALL  NOT  APPLY DURING PERIODS WHEN REGULAR OPERATIONS OF THE EMPLOYER
 ARE SUSPENDED DUE TO EVENTS BEYOND THE EMPLOYER'S CONTROL.
   § 184. PROHIBITED ACTS. 1. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR  ANY  EMPLOYER  TO
 INTERFERE  WITH,  RESTRAIN, OR DENY THE EXERCISE OR THE ATTEMPT TO EXER-
 CISE, ANY RIGHT OF AN EMPLOYEE AS  SET  FORTH  IN  SECTION  ONE  HUNDRED
 EIGHTY-TWO  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  OR  OF A RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE OR CLEANING
 S. 8108                             6
 
 EMPLOYEE AS SET FORTH IN SECTION ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE OF THIS  ARTI-
 CLE.
   2.  IT  SHALL  BE  UNLAWFUL FOR ANY EMPLOYER TO DISCHARGE, THREATEN TO
 DISCHARGE, DEMOTE, SUSPEND, REDUCE WORK HOURS  OF,  OR  TAKE  ANY  OTHER
 ADVERSE  EMPLOYMENT ACTION AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE IN RETALIATION FOR EXER-
 CISING THE RIGHTS OF AN EMPLOYEE UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE  OR  OPPOSING  ANY
 PRACTICE  MADE UNLAWFUL BY THIS ARTICLE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION ONE
 HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  SUCH  RETALIATION  SHALL  INCLUDE
 TAKING AN ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTION AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE ON THE BASIS OF
 THAT  EMPLOYEE'S  ELIGIBILITY  OR  PERCEIVED  ELIGIBILITY  TO REQUEST OR
 RECEIVE A CHANGE IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, AS DESCRIBED
 IN SUCH SECTION, ON THE BASIS OF A REASON SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION THREE
 OF SUCH SECTION.
   3. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO DISCHARGE OR  IN  ANY  OTHER
 MANNER DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE SUCH INDIVIDUAL:
   (A) HAS FILED ANY CHARGE, OR HAS INSTITUTED OR CAUSED TO BE INSTITUTED
 ANY PROCEEDING, UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS ARTICLE;
   (B)  HAS GIVEN OR IS ABOUT TO GIVE, ANY INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH
 ANY INQUIRY OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO  ANY  RIGHT  PROVIDED  UNDER  THIS
 ARTICLE; OR
   (C)  HAS TESTIFIED, OR IS ABOUT TO TESTIFY, IN ANY INQUIRY OR PROCEED-
 ING RELATING TO ANY RIGHT PROVIDED UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
   § 185. CIVIL ACTION. 1. ANY PERSON  DENIED  BENEFITS  DUE  UNDER  THIS
 ARTICLE  OR  AGGRIEVED  BY AN ACTION MADE UNLAWFUL BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL
 HAVE A CAUSE OF ACTION IN ANY  COURT  OF  APPROPRIATE  JURISDICTION  FOR
 DAMAGES,  INCLUDING  ANY  WAGES,  SALARY,  EMPLOYMENT  BENEFITS OR OTHER
 COMPENSATION DENIED OR  LOST  TO  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL  BY  REASONS  OF  THE
 VIOLATION  AND/OR ANY ACTUAL MONETARY LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THE INDIVIDUAL
 AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE VIOLATION, AS WELL AS INTEREST ON SUCH  AMOUNT
 CALCULATED  AT  THE PREVAILING RATE, AND SUCH EQUITABLE RELIEF AS MAY BE
 APPROPRIATE, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT, REINSTATEMENT, AND PROMOTION, TOGETH-
 ER WITH COSTS AND SUCH REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES AS MAY BE  ALLOWED  BY
 THE COURT.
   2. ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE DENIED BENEFITS DUE UNDER THIS ARTICLE OR
 AGGRIEVED  BY  AN ACTION MADE UNLAWFUL BY THIS ARTICLE, THE COMMISSIONER
 MAY BRING A LEGAL  ACTION  NECESSARY  TO  COLLECT  DAMAGES  DUE  TO  THE
 VIOLATION, AND THE EMPLOYER SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH DAMAGES.
   3.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, AN ACTION TO RECOVER
 UPON LIABILITY IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE  MUST  BE  COMMENCED  WITHIN  TWO
 YEARS.
   §  186.  OTHER  LEGAL  REQUIREMENTS.  1. THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES MINIMUM
 REQUIREMENTS AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PREEMPT, LIMIT, OR  OTHERWISE
 AFFECT  THE  APPLICABILITY  OF  ANY  OTHER LAW, REGULATION, REQUIREMENT,
 POLICY, OR STANDARD THAT PROVIDES FOR GREATER RIGHTS FOR EMPLOYEES  THAN
 ARE REQUIRED IN THIS ARTICLE.
   2.  NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS CREATING OR IMPOSING
 ANY REQUIREMENT IN CONFLICT WITH ANY FEDERAL OR STATE LAW, RULE OR REGU-
 LATION, NOR SHALL ANYTHING IN THIS ARTICLE BE CONSTRUED TO  DIMINISH  OR
 IMPAIR  THE RIGHTS OF AN EMPLOYEE OR EMPLOYER UNDER ANY VALID COLLECTIVE
 BARGAINING AGREEMENT.
   § 187. SAVINGS CLAUSE. IF ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE  APPLI-
 CATION  THEREOF  TO  ANY PERSON, EMPLOYER, OCCUPATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE IS
 HELD INVALID, THE REMAINDER OF THE ARTICLE AND THE APPLICATION  OF  SUCH
 PROVISION  TO  OTHER  PERSONS,  EMPLOYEES, OCCUPATIONS, OR CIRCUMSTANCES
 SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED THEREBY.
 S. 8108                             7
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition,  amend-
 ment  and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the imple-
 mentation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on
 or before such date.