Francesco DeLuca, Matthew Gizzo and Robert Tucker of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. report New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature have finally completed this year’s budget negotiations and enacted legislation as part of the 2025-2026 State Budget, which includes significant amendments to New York’s Labor Law (NYLL), including: Significant amendments to the New York Labor Law, impacting wage-and-hour enforcement, liquidated damages and Child Labor penalties; The amendments bring long-awaited clarity to New York pay frequency claims, including interest-only damages for a first violation; The amendments grant the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) enhanced enforcement powers, including the ability to impose a 15% surcharge on unsatisfied wage judgments and allow Employees to enforce wage orders directly; and mandates a comprehensive overhaul of minor employment certification and record-keeping, centralizing the process under the NYSDOL, effective on May 9th, 2027.

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