New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S09228

Introduced
2/18/26  

Caption

Prohibits non-compete agreements for certain medical professionals; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

Impact

If enacted, S09228 would bring significant changes to how employment contracts are structured within healthcare settings across New York. Employers would be barred from requiring non-compete agreements, meaning any existing agreements of this nature that are signed after the bill becomes law would be null and void. This reform could increase competition among healthcare providers, ideally leading to better services and care options for patients, while ensuring that professionals have the freedom to seek roles that match their skills and aspirations. The legislation also empowers affected workers by allowing them to take legal action if their rights under the bill are violated.

Summary

Bill S09228, introduced in the New York Senate, seeks to prohibit non-compete agreements for designated medical professionals. This includes a range of healthcare providers such as physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and other licensed practitioners. The primary objective of the bill is to foster job mobility among healthcare workers and reduce barriers they face in pursuing new employment opportunities. By rendering such agreements unenforceable, the bill aims to enhance the ability of these professionals to transition without legal repercussions, thereby benefiting both the workforce and patient care availability.

Contention

While supporters argue that eliminating non-compete agreements is essential to support a flexible healthcare environment, critics may contend that some level of restriction is necessary to protect business interests. Opponents of the bill might raise concerns that unrestricted job mobility could erode the incentive for healthcare providers to invest in training and development, as they may lose staff to competitors immediately after an investment. Nonetheless, the bill attempts to strike a balance by allowing healthcare providers to enforce other protective measures like non-disclosure agreements to safeguard sensitive operational information.

Companion Bills

NY A10981

Same As Prohibits non-compete agreements for certain medical professionals; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

Previously Filed As

NY A10981

Prohibits non-compete agreements for certain medical professionals; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

NY A10023

Prohibits non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

NY S09759

Prohibits non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

NY S04641

Prohibits non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

NY A10041

Authorizes education-related dual employment for employees of certain schools offering special education services; prohibits certain anti-competitive actions that would impact such schools.

NY S07437

Prohibits agreements between employers that directly restrict the current or future employment of any employee; allows for a cause of action against employers who engage in such agreements.

NY SB744

Labor; prohibiting employers from taking certain adverse actions against certain employees. Effective date. Emergency.

NY SB744

Labor; prohibiting employers from taking certain adverse actions against certain employees. Effective date. Emergency.

NY S08441

Authorizes certain injured employees or their legal representative to claim workers' compensation or to maintain an action in the courts for damages on account of such injury when the commissioner of labor fails to act within a certain time frame for certain violations.

NY A09638

Prohibits the use of a wage-fixing algorithm in combination with personal or behavioral data to set or recommend wages or compensation; defines terms; establishes penalties for violations of such prohibition.

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