Law isn’t just a profession, it’s the underpinning of a well-ordered society that brings about stability and economic prosperity. It is, in short, the difference between freedom and tyranny. But today, the rule of law seems to be under siege. Politicians exchange accusations of weaponizing government through spurious investigations, and trust in the courts is eroding. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the future of the United States—and our planet—depends on the strength of the legal system.
In the City of New York, law isn’t just a set of rules that governs how we interact with one another, it is also a powerful tool to promote justice and uphold our values. To that end, the City’s legal system is governed by both statutes passed by City lawmakers and decisions by judges that interpret those laws. In addition, City agencies may adopt regulations to enforce the City’s laws. All of these laws and regulations are codified in the New York City Charter, and the New York City Consolidated Laws, which includes the law governing the City’s agencies.
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is releasing revised rules to implement Local Law 129 of 2021, which creates an exception to the item pricing requirement for retail stores that provide price scanners available for customer use. The rules also amend penalty schedules for violations related to keeping or selling force-fed products, providing open captioning in motion picture theaters, and utilizing automated employment decision tools. The rules are effective March 1, 2025.