NY A05860

Amends Labor Law section 590 to clarify when educational employees at SUNY, CUNY, and public community colleges can be denied unemployment benefits between academic terms based on having a "contract to perform services" or "reasonable assurance" of future employment

Defines "contract to perform services" as an enforceable, non-contingent agreement providing full academic year or annual compensation, with an offer for the same capacity and wages at least 90% of the prior period's pay

Establishes that "reasonable assurance" requires the job offer not be contingent on factors within the institution's control such as course programming, funding allocation, program modifications, or facility availability

Requires case-by-case determination of reasonable assurance based on totality of circumstances, including funding history, enrollment levels, seniority, and assignment practices, with the educational institution required to provide specific documentation to support benefit denials

Specifies these unemployment benefit restrictions apply only to professional capacity employees (instructional, research, or principal administrative roles) and explicitly excludes nonprofessional staff from these limitations