NY A07624

Establishes the Human Services Wage Commission within the Department of Labor to investigate whether wages for human services workers are sufficient to provide adequate maintenance and protect employee health and welfare

Defines human services workers as employees providing direct support in state-licensed, certified, or funded programs earning no more than $85,000 annually, working for agencies under offices including Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Addiction Services, Aging, Health, and Children and Family Services

Commission membership includes nine state agency commissioners/directors plus up to 10 employer representatives and an equal number of human services workers recommended by the governor and legislative leaders

Grants the commission authority to hold public hearings, administer oaths, compel testimony by subpoena, and conduct depositions without being bound by standard rules of evidence or procedure

Requires a preliminary report within 120 days of member appointment with wage recommendations, consideration of wage compression and regional adjustments, and a phased implementation plan of no more than five years, with the final report due by March 31, 2026