New York Revises Job Training Repayment and Worker Credit Check Laws

State lawmakers approve measures to tweak new restrictions on using worker credit histories and requiring repayment of job training expenses.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:39am

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New York is set to revise new laws that restrict the use of workers' credit histories in personnel decisions and require employees to repay job training expenses when leaving a role within a certain timeframe. State lawmakers have approved measures revising the credit history and training repayment measures enacted in December, which will now go to Governor Kathy Hochul for final approval.

Why it matters

These changes aim to balance employer needs with worker protections around credit checks and training costs, which have been contentious issues as states grapple with balancing business flexibility and worker rights.

The details

The revised credit history bill clarifies that the ban on using credit reports for hiring and other personnel decisions does not apply to certain financial services roles. The training repayment bill adjusts the timeframe and other details around when employers can require workers to repay training expenses if they leave a job within a set period.

  • The original credit history and training repayment laws were enacted in December 2025.
  • The revised bills were approved by state lawmakers in February 2026.
  • The revised bills now go to Governor Kathy Hochul for final approval.

The players

New York State Legislature

The state legislative body that approved the revisions to the credit history and training repayment laws.

Governor Kathy Hochul

The Democratic governor of New York who is expected to sign the revised bills into law after negotiating the changes with legislators.

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What’s next

Governor Hochul is expected to sign the revised bills into law in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

These revisions demonstrate how states are continuously refining new worker protection laws to balance employer needs with worker rights, as the landscape around issues like credit checks and training costs remains complex and evolving.