New York law consists of constitutional, statutory and regulatory laws passed by the Legislature and periodically codified in the New York Consolidated Laws, and decisions by the courts that interpret those laws. It also includes laws, ordinances and regulations of city councils, towns, villages, school districts and their boards of trustees, commissions and committees, as well as local laws, including charters.
A slew of new laws came into effect on January 1, 2024. Some have immediate impact, such as the minimum wage increase that brings New York City and Westchester to $16 an hour, while the rest of the state will be at $15. Another major change will allow people who have been diagnosed with AIDS to work legally.
Other laws address housing and data privacy. For example, one bill will limit the amount landlords can charge as security deposits. Another would prohibit cities and counties from adopting nuisance ordinances that require evictions for activities such as cooking, smoking or having pets. Another will remove restrictions that keep churches, religious organizations and nonprofit colleges from constructing affordable housing on their land. And a new law will help childhood victims of sexual abuse recover civil damages.
While most of the new laws are local, some are national in scope. For instance, the new law on upskirting expands the definition of an offense that can be prosecuted under common law, an unwritten body of laws based on legal precedents established by courts. Upskirting involves sneaking up behind a person, such as someone sitting in a restaurant, and taking pictures or videos of their private parts to infringe on their dignity and cause them distress or humiliation.
In the world of technology, a new law will make it illegal to use facial recognition software to identify a person’s race, religion, sex or age, among other factors. The law will also require social media companies to make it easier for users to review and delete their personal data.
The law will also require employers to provide training on the rights of employees with disabilities, as well as to develop policies to assist them in recruiting and retaining qualified employees. In addition, the law will amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to add provisions relating to accommodations for pregnant women and new mothers.
The Law Department contracts with American Legal Publishing Corporation to provide the public with a free, searchable, online version of the New York State Charter, the New York City Charter and the Rules of the City of New York. To find any of these, or to read the latest versions, please visit Laws of the City of New York (Public Access Portal) or NYC Rules.