Require Paid Leave for Bone Marrow and Organ Donation
In committee as of Jun 8, 2026Under review by an assigned committee.
✦ Plain-Language Summary
This bill would give workers up to 5 days off to donate bone marrow and up to 20 days off to donate organs like kidneys or liver. The city would pay workers their regular wages during this leave time, and employers couldn't force workers to make up the hours or find their own replacement.
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Details
- Introduced
- Apr 16, 2026
- Body
- Committee on Health
- Type
- Introduction
- Status
- Laid Over in Committee
Sponsors (1)
Official Description
This bill would amend New York City’s (the “City”) Earned Safe and Sick Time Act by requiring that employers provide up to 5 business days of unpaid leave to donate bone marrow and up to 20 business days of unpaid leave to undergo a medical procedure to make a living organ donation. Subject to appropriation, the bill would require the City to establish a program to provide employees with a wage-replacement benefit to compensate employees for unpaid leave taken for bone marrow donation or living organ donation leave. This time would be paid at the employee’s regular pay rate and be in addition to their accrual or use of existing safe/sick time. Within certain limits, an employer could require reasonable documentation from the employee on the use of the time. An employer could not require the employee to work additional hours to make up for the original hours the employee was unavailable, or find a replacement employee to cover their hours, due to the employee’s use of the time. The bill would provide relief and penalties for failure to provide this time. The bill would also require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish a voluntary public honor roll recognizing City employees who donate bone marrow or donate a living organ.