S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10297
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 20, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SEAWRIGHT -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to a period of paid leave for
colon cancer screenings
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 202-m to
read as follows:
§ 202-M. LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR COLON CANCER SCREENINGS GRANTED TO
EMPLOYEES. 1. AN EMPLOYER SHALL GRANT FOUR HOURS OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE IN
ANY TWELVE MONTH PERIOD TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO SEEKS TO UNDERGO COLON CANCER
SCREENINGS.
2. AN EMPLOYER SHALL NOT RETALIATE AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE FOR REQUESTING
OR OBTAINING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE UNDER THIS SECTION.
3. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT PREVENT AN EMPLOYER FROM PROVIDING LEAVE FOR
COLON CANCER SCREENINGS IN ADDITION TO LEAVE ALLOWED UNDER ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT AFFECT AN EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS
WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW.
4. THE COMMISSIONER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO ESTABLISH ANY
NECESSARY GUIDELINES, INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTICE, REQUEST AND
APPROVAL OF LEAVE, AND DOCUMENTATION, FOR THE TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE PROGRAM.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14556-01-6