New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S07997

Introduced
5/15/25  

Caption

Enacts the "construction laborer insurance protection act (CLIPA)"; requires every policy or contract of insurance issued to an owner, contractor or subcontractor performing the work of erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, or cleaning of a building, structure or edifice to provide coverage for bodily injury and death of workers.

Impact

The enactment of S07997 would significantly impact existing state laws concerning workers' compensation and insurance requirements. Under the current framework, insurance policies may contain exclusions that limit coverage for specific circumstances that lead to worker injuries. The new bill seeks to eliminate such exclusions, thereby ensuring that contractors and laborers have access to more robust insurance protection. By compelling insurance providers to include coverage for injuries occurring in construction-related activities, S07997 addresses a critical gap in the current system, improving safety and security for those within the construction workforce.

Summary

Bill S07997, known as the Construction Laborer Insurance Protection Act (CLIPA), aims to enhance the insurance requirements for contractors, subcontractors, and owners involved in the construction industry in New York. Specifically, the bill mandates that every insurance policy or contract issued in connection with construction activities, such as renovation, repair, or demolition, must provide comprehensive coverage for bodily injuries and deaths sustained by workers. This legislative action emphasizes the need for adequate protection for laborers who undertake high-risk tasks in the construction sector.

Contention

While the bill is positioned to protect construction workers, potential points of contention could arise relating to the increased costs of insurance for contractors and subcontractors. Critics of the initiative may argue that the added financial burden on insurance premiums could discourage smaller businesses from participating in the construction market. Moreover, insurance companies might express concerns about the implication of expanded liability coverage, which could affect their risk assessments and business models. Hence, discussions surrounding S07997 may also encompass debates on the balance between protecting workers and maintaining a viable construction industry.

Companion Bills

NY A08127

Same As Enacts the "construction laborer insurance protection act (CLIPA)"; requires every policy or contract of insurance issued to an owner, contractor or subcontractor performing the work of erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, or cleaning of a building, structure or edifice to provide coverage for bodily injury and death of workers.

Previously Filed As

NY S04994

Requires certain contractor, subcontractor and worker certifications for metropolitan transportation authority contracts which involve industrial painting or industrial coating work.

NY A06099

Requires certain contractor, subcontractor and worker certifications for metropolitan transportation authority contracts which involve industrial painting or industrial coating work.

NY A07317

Enacts the "New York small contractor relief act"; defines terms; authorizes a small contractor captive insurance company to purchase, and the New York state insurance fund shall be authorized and directed to provide, reinsurance and retrocession reinsurance for such captive insurance company, on either a quota share arrangement or facultative arrangement at a rate to be determined by the board of the fund; provides that a small contractor captive insurance company organized pursuant to this article shall not refuse to issue, renew or cancel a policy of any qualified small construction contractor based upon geographic location or line of business engaged in by such contractor; makes related provisions.

NY S07975

Enacts the "New York small contractor relief act"; defines terms; authorizes a small contractor captive insurance company to purchase, and the New York state insurance fund shall be authorized and directed to provide, reinsurance and retrocession reinsurance for such captive insurance company, on either a quota share arrangement or facultative arrangement at a rate to be determined by the board of the fund; provides that a small contractor captive insurance company organized pursuant to this article shall not refuse to issue, renew or cancel a policy of any qualified small construction contractor based upon geographic location or line of business engaged in by such contractor; makes related provisions.

NY S09327

Authorizes the use of owner-controlled and contractor-controlled insurance for certain construction projects; requires a report on the use of such insurance.

NY A10362

Authorizes the use of owner-controlled and contractor-controlled insurance for certain construction projects; requires a report on the use of such insurance.

NY A00283

Enacts the "regional labor protection act" requiring the use of qualified local labor by contractors awarded projects in the construction of public works providing for the expenditure of state public money when the unemployment rate for construction workers is six percent or higher for three consecutive months.

NY A01925

Relates to payment by public owners to contractors and subcontractors.

NY A10179

Authorizes a building construction, demolition and repair work insurance tax credit for certain qualifying insurance premium payments for personal injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance.

NY S07223

Requires that a minimum of ten percent of the labor hours of the total construction workforce employed by all contractors and subcontractors performing work pursuant to a construction contract shall be performed by a person or persons participating in a certified apprenticeship program; makes technical amendments.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.