NY S05255

Creates separate disciplinary hearing procedures for public employees outside New York City, requiring hearings to be conducted by an independent hearing officer mutually agreed upon by the employee and employer, or selected from a list of seven names provided by the Public Employment Relations Board

Requires that employees outside NYC who are subject to potential disciplinary action must be suspended with pay (rather than without pay) for up to 30 days while charges are pending

Mandates that employees facing potential discipline receive written notice of their right to union representation before questioning, with a reasonable period of time to obtain such representation

Divides hearing officer costs equally between parties, though the hearing officer may reallocate costs if a claim or defense is found to be frivolous or made in bad faith

Preserves existing hearing officer procedures established through collective bargaining agreements or policies for managerial/confidential state employees that were in effect before the bill's enactment