With its recently enacted legislation, AB-5, which significantly alters the ground rules for the classification of employees, California has advanced the political “acceptability” of the “ABC” test first implemented in Massachusetts. Now, it would appear that New York State may be the next state to fall in line on “ABC” classifications. A new labor-backed coalition wants the Empire State to follow the California lead in reclassifying independent contractors as employees by establishing the three-part (ABC) test to determine worker compensation as an independent contractor or as an employee with the requisite benefit and protections that employee status commands. The issue was the subject of a public hearing held by the state legislature earlier this week. We can expect legislation to be filed for deliberation in the next legislative session, which begins in January, if not sooner! Forewarned is forearmed!