NY A06899

Establishes a maximum of 12 consecutive hours per 24-hour period or any single shift exceeding 12 hours for home care aides, with limited exceptions.

Requires any agreement for home care aides to work beyond maximum hours to be voluntary and expressly consented to, with consent not automatically carrying over to future assignments.

Prohibits employers from discriminating against, threatening, or penalizing home care aides who refuse assignments exceeding maximum hours or who file complaints about violations.

Allows exceptions to maximum hours limits only in unforeseeable emergent circumstances when employers have exhausted reasonable staffing efforts, capped at 4 hours over a 12-hour shift or 2 hours if due to delayed relief aide arrival.

Permits home care aides to bring civil actions for violations with remedies including compensatory damages, punitive damages, back wages, and attorney's fees; authorizes the labor commissioner to bring enforcement actions and issue penalties.