NY A08095

Entitles employees who are parents or legal guardians to work remotely when schools or day care centers close due to a state or local disaster emergency, if the essential functions of their position can be performed remotely.

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that an employee can work remotely if they have already done so for two consecutive pay periods or two weeks during the current or immediately preceding calendar year.

Allows employees to request flexible working arrangements (changes in hours, days, arrival/departure times, remote work, or job-sharing) when schools or day care centers are closed due to disaster emergencies, requiring employers to consider such requests and respond within 14 days if submitted in writing.

Prohibits employers from discharging, threatening, penalizing, or retaliating against employees for exercising rights under this section, with violations subject to a $500 civil penalty per violation.

Takes effect 30 days after becoming law, though employees may begin requesting remote work or flexible arrangements immediately upon enactment.