BILL NUMBER: S1466

SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the labor law, in relation to meal and rest breaks for
employees who work a certain amount of hours in a day

 
PURPOSE:

To ensure employees who work four or more consecutive hours are entitled
to a ten minute rest break and employees who work five or more consec-
utive hours are entitled to a meal break of at least thirty minutes.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 162 of the labor law by adding two new subdivi-
sions 6 and 7 providing every person employed in or in connection with a
mercantile or other establishment or occupation coming under the
provisions of this chapter who works four or more consecutive hours
shall be entitled to a ten minute rest break, which shall be counted
              

towards hours worked, and every such person who works five or more
consecutive hours shall be entitled to a meal break of at least thirty
minutes. If the work period for the day is six consecutive hours or
less, the employee and employer may waive the meal break by mutual
consent.

Section 2 provides this act shall take effect immediately.

 
EXISTING LAW:

Such employees are entitled to a thirty minute "noon day meal" between
the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM when working a shift of more than six hours,
and a forty-five minute meal break during the midpoint of a greater than
six hour shift starting between 1 PM and 6 AM. There are other
provisions relating to employees in factories, late shifts and permits
for shorter time periods.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Work productivity is greater when employees are properly rested and
given adequate time for meals. This should be provided without regard to
the time employees begin and end work.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

03/29/16 - Referred to Labor

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.