Starting January 1, 2025, New York workers will have access to workers' compensation benefits for mental health injuries like PTSD caused by workplace stress. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation, which extends protections beyond first responders to include all employees. The law specifically covers mental injuries resulting from extraordinary stress at work and prevents the Workers' Compensation Board from denying claims based on typical workplace stress.

The bill has been praised by labor unions, including the New York State AFL-CIO, for recognizing the importance of mental health in the workplace. However, business groups such as the New York Insurance Association and the Business Council of New York State have expressed concerns about potential cost increases and the vagueness of terms like "extraordinary stress," fearing it could lead to increased litigation and financial burdens on employers.

This legislation aligns New York with states like Connecticut, which recently expanded workers' compensation coverage for PTSD to all employees, reflecting a broader trend of addressing mental health issues in the workplace.