NYC Enacts Law to Address Mental Health Concerns in Construction

New York Metropolis not too long ago enacted a local law to deal with rising psychological well being issues throughout the building business, reflecting elevated consideration on suicide prevention and substance abuse. The brand new regulation amends the New York Metropolis Constructing Code to broaden required website security coaching (SST) to incorporate psychological well being and wellness, suicide danger and prevention, and alcohol and substance misuse.

Underneath the Constructing Code, SST playing cards are required for many employees and supervisors on sure building and demolition websites that require a Website Security Plan or Website Security Skilled. The brand new regulation modifies the definitions of SST playing cards and SST supervisor playing cards, requiring candidates and renewing cardholders to efficiently full two SST credit centered on psychological health-related topics. These necessities complement current coaching obligations, resembling OSHA programs, fall safety coaching, and different authorized SST credit.

The laws additionally introduces larger flexibility for card renewals. SST playing cards and SST supervisor playing cards could now be renewed as much as one 12 months after expiration, offered the required SST credit are accomplished throughout the 12 months earlier than expiration and earlier than submitting the renewal utility.

The Metropolis Council handed the invoice in December 2025, and it grew to become regulation on January 3, 2026, beneath the New York Metropolis Constitution after the Mayor neither signed nor vetoed it throughout the prescribed timeframe. The regulation takes impact 120 days after enactment, giving lined employers and employees a restricted window to conform. Employers could want to evaluation coaching protocols and ensure that authorized SST suppliers provide qualifying psychological well being programs. Failure to conform could lead to enforcement actions or civil penalties beneath the Constructing Code.

For questions on New York Metropolis’s up to date SST necessities and their influence in your group, contact a Jackson Lewis lawyer.