Amendment to New York Wage Deduction Statute Expands Allowable Deductions

Expanding the scope of permissible deductions from wages under New York law, Governor Mario Cuomo, on September 7, 2012, has signed legislation amending New York Labor Law §193. This change was in reaction to a strict position taken by the New York State Department of Labor in recent years severely limiting the types of permissible deductions — essentially prohibiting any deductions not specifically set forth in pre-amendment Section 193. The amendment goes into effect on November 6, 2012, 60 days after it becomes law, and, unless extended, will expire and be deemed repealed three years after the effective date.