NY S04885

Expands the definition of "health care employer" to include facilities operated or licensed under article thirty-six of the public health law, in addition to existing article twenty-eight facilities.

Adds "regularly scheduled home care visits" to the definition of "regularly scheduled work hours" for nurses, ensuring home care work is counted toward a nurse's budgeted hours and position allocation.

Clarifies that home care visits must be pre-scheduled and counted as part of a nurse's regular work hours, preventing employers from using them as mandatory overtime substitutes.

Extends protections under Education Law section 6510-e to include home care services, so nurses' refusal to work beyond regularly scheduled hours (including home care visits) does not constitute patient abandonment or neglect.

Effective ninety days after enactment.