New Rules for Contractor Licensing in Westchester
On Monday, Westchester County Legislators Nancy Barr (D-Harrison) and Christopher A. Johnson (D-Yonkers) introduced proposed changes to county law for licensing home contractors. The new rules are designed to protect workers from being under-paid or not paid at all by the businesses employing them.
At a press conference announcing the proposed law Barr said, “Imagine putting in a full day’s work and not getting paid for it. For many of us, it’s unthinkable. How could an employer be so unscrupulous or we be so vulnerable? But sadly, in Westchester County, this is not an uncommon situation.”
The proposed legislation would require an applicant for a home improvement license in Westchester to disclose any business-related judgments against them, particularly those involving non-payment or underpayment to employees or sub contractors. These judgments will be taken into consideration when looking at contractors’ new applications and renewals.
The legislation also specifies that workers in Westchester can file complaints concerning underpayment or non-payment.
In addition, the proposed legislation has new protections for consumers who are hiring contractors, requiring disclosure about proposed work in writing.
Johnson said, “No employee should be exploited. If it happens once, it happens too often. This proposal will give the county an opportunity to identify contractors who take advantage of their workers, and create a level playing field for honest contractors to compete fairly.”
Gonzalo Cruz, Executive Director, Don Bosco Workers, said, the changes “empower the county to deny home improvement licenses to any business with a history of failing to pay its workers the amount required by law. Importantly, the measure will help workers, their families, and their communities by creating new incentives for home improvement businesses to follow the law and pay workers the wages they have earned.”
Board Chairman Ben Boykin (D- White Plains) said, “This no-nonsense solution to real problems protects everyone – workers, contractors and consumers. It will make Westchester a fairer and safer place to work and do business in.”
