Governor Hochul signs new law to support workers facing job related post-traumatic stress

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation to support working people who are facing job-related mental health crises.

This law will allow any worker to file for workers' compensation for specific types of mental injury premised on extraordinary work-related stress.

Signing this law continues Governor Hochul's commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in New York, including by investing $1 billion to transform the continuum of care.

“New Yorkers work hard — and those who have experienced the unthinkable while on the job deserve to be treated fairly,” Governor Hochul said.

“The mental health crisis our country has experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, and we need to do everything in our power to lend a hand to those in need. I'll never stop fighting for the working people of New York.”

The Governor’s FY 2025 Enacted Budget included $20 million to continue expanding school-based mental health clinic satellites, $19 million to provide critical care to young people outside of school environments, $33 million to build supports for individuals living with a mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system, and $55 million to add 200 inpatient beds at state-operated psychiatric centers.

“We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her support for injured workers, expanding access to benefits through this critical legislation," said New York State Workers’ Compensation Board Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez.

"We also commend the AFL-CIO, the bill sponsors Senator Ramos and Assemblywoman Reyes, and mental health advocates for their tireless efforts on behalf of injured workers. Workers’ compensation is here for workers who have been injured or made ill on the job, whether their injury is one you can see or not.”

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.