On December 23, 2022, Governor Hochul signed what is known as Carlos’ Law, a bill that increases fines for corporations convicted of crimes involving the death or injury of a worker.
The law establishes that when an agent of a corporation, acting within the scope of their employment, engages in conduct that results in the death or injury of an employee, the corporation could be found guilty of a crime. If the corporation is convicted of a felony the fine shall not be less than $500,000 or more than $1,000,000. If the conviction is a class A misdemeanor the fine shall not be less than $300,000 or more than $500,000.
The law goes into effect January 22, 2023.