N.Y. First to Mandate All Employers Set Infectious Disease Plans

New York next month will begin the process of requiring employers to adopt plans to protect workers against airborne infectious diseases—the first time a state has required all businesses to take such precautions.

“The HERO Act is a permanent airborne infectious disease standard,” said Lisa Zucker, an attorney with the New York Civil Liberties Union who advocated for the legislation, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed into law May 5.

On July 5 or soon after, New York’s Department of Labor is expected to release several model prevention plans for different industries, setting in motion the law’s compliance schedule. Within ...